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HAMAS has announced its willingness to coordinate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Israeli hostages held in Gaza—on condition that Israel permanently halts airstrikes and opens sustained humanitarian corridors.
Reuters reported that the statement came on Sunday, a day after Hamas released its second video in two days of Israeli hostage Evyatar David, appearing severely emaciated.
In the video, David is shown digging what he says is his own grave, prompting widespread condemnation from Western governments. “Every hostage who dies will be on Hamas’s hands,” said The Hostages Families Forum, which represents relatives of those still captive.
Israel claims that 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with only 20 believed to be alive.
To date, Hamas has barred access to the captives by humanitarian groups, including the International Committee of the Red Cross. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he had spoken to the head of the ICRC's local delegation, requesting immediate assistance for the hostages.
Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that six more people had died from starvation or malnutrition in the past 24 hours, raising the death toll from suspected famine-related causes to 175, including 93 children, since the war began.
Fuel and food have become increasingly scarce in the enclave, following Israeli restrictions on aid delivery imposed months ago to pressure Hamas. Israel said on Sunday that four UN fuel trucks had entered Gaza to support hospitals, bakeries and other essential services. Egypt also reported that two trucks carrying 107 tonnes of diesel were expected to cross into Gaza, though their arrival was not immediately confirmed.
COGAT, the Israeli agency coordinating aid deliveries, claimed more than 23,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid had entered Gaza in the past week via 1,200 trucks, although many had yet to reach distribution points. Looting of aid vehicles by armed groups and desperate civilians has also complicated distribution, according to witnesses and Hamas sources.
Despite recent Israeli efforts to facilitate limited aid—including temporary ceasefires, airdrops, and designated protected routes—UN agencies maintain these measures are insufficient. They have urged Israel to allow greater land access to prevent famine among Gaza’s 2.2 million people, the vast majority of whom are displaced.
On Sunday, Belgium joined France and Jordan in air-dropping aid into Gaza, launching its first packages in a joint military operation. France began its own airdrops on Friday, delivering 40 tonnes of supplies.
Palestinian health officials said at least 80 people were killed by Israeli fire across Gaza on Sunday, including several individuals reportedly shot while trying to reach aid hubs. Among the dead was a Palestinian Red Crescent staff member, killed when an Israeli strike ignited a fire at the organisation’s headquarters in Khan Younis.
The conflict, which erupted on 7 October 2023 when Hamas launched a deadly cross-border attack killing over 1,200 Israelis and taking 251 hostages, has since claimed the lives of more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. - August 4, 2025
