Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu Addresses Hostage Release and Calls for Action Against Hamas

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently made a public statement welcoming the return of three Israeli hostages—Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami—who were freed after being held captive by Hamas for 491 days. In a video address published on X (formerly Twitter), Netanyahu expressed his heartfelt embrace for the hostages and their families, emphasizing the extreme conditions they endured during their captivity.

The health ministry’s preliminary examination revealed that the hostages had lost about 30% of their body weight, showcasing the severe toll Hamas’ captivity had on them. Netanyahu condemned Hamas for their actions, labeling them “monsters” and reiterating Israel’s commitment to bringing all hostages home and ensuring their security.

The images of the hostages’ emaciated state have shocked many, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog calling their condition a “crime against humanity” and condemning Hamas for the physical and emotional abuse inflicted on these civilians. Herzog also stressed the urgent need for the completion of the hostage deal to secure the remaining hostages.

Meanwhile, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum compared the images of the released hostages to those from the Nazi death camps, highlighting the horrifying nature of the crimes Hamas committed. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called attention to the stark contrast in the health of the hostages compared to the Gaza residents, accusing Hamas of spreading false narratives about the situation in Gaza while starving the hostages.

As the international community takes note of the horrific images, Israel remains determined to eliminate Hamas and bring all hostages home, with diplomatic figures like Ambassador Danny Danon emphasizing that Israel will not stop until justice is served.

The situation has sparked political clashes within Israel, with opposition leader MK Yair Lapid accusing Netanyahu of not addressing the hostages’ conditions earlier. Netanyahu’s office has since responded, stressing that the severe conditions were taken seriously and that appropriate actions would follow.