Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has publicly accused Hamas of a “sadistic propaganda campaign” using hostages, while also laying blame on international countries for their diplomatic actions. The minister’s comments followed the release of videos showing two Israeli captives, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, in a starved and tortured state. Sa’ar stated that this is a “deliberate and well-planned” campaign by Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
He made a strong comparison between Hamas’s actions and the crimes of the Nazis and ISIS. Sa’ar also criticized the international community for the lack of access to the 50 remaining hostages, noting that the Red Cross has not been able to visit them despite an agreement. He further alleged that the starvation narrative is a “fake propaganda campaign” and that the amount of aid entering Gaza proves this to be the case.
Sa’ar described hostage-taking as a global threat, arguing that terror groups use it to ensure their survival and interests. He urged the international community to take a strong stance against this practice to prevent its spread. To highlight the issue on a global scale, he announced his trip to a special UN Security Council session he initiated in New York.
In a pointed message, Sa’ar criticized international media for their “anti-Israeli agenda” and lack of coverage. He also accused countries like France, the UK, and Canada of providing a “pure prize for terror” through diplomatic moves that he claimed have only hardened Hamas’s stance and “assassinated the chances” of a hostage deal.