In a surprising turn, Hamas has announced it’s open to letting the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) deliver food and medicine to Israeli captives held in Gaza. This comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the ICRC to step in, following shocking videos showing two frail Israeli captives. Meanwhile, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis worsens, with only 36 aid trucks allowed in on Saturday, August 2, 2025, while 22,000 wait outside. At AMERICA NEWS WORLD, we dive into this critical update, exploring what it means for the captives and Gaza’s starving population.
The videos, released by Palestinian groups, sparked outrage. They showed two Israeli captives, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, looking weak and thin. These images pushed Netanyahu to act. On Sunday, August 3, 2025, he spoke with Julian Larson, head of the ICRC delegation in Israel. He asked for urgent food and medical aid for the captives. Netanyahu claimed Hamas is spreading a “lie of starvation” in Gaza but accused them of starving the captives. However, Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, had a different story.
Abu Obeida, the Qassam Brigades’ spokesman, said the captives eat the same food as their fighters and Gaza’s people. “They get no special treatment while our people face starvation and siege,” he stated. Yet, he added that Hamas is ready to work with the ICRC to deliver aid. But there’s a catch. Hamas demands open humanitarian corridors for Gaza’s 2 million residents and a halt to Israeli attacks during aid deliveries. This condition reflects the dire situation in Gaza, where 1 million women and girls are starving, according to the United Nations.
The ICRC, in a statement on X, called the videos “harrowing” and demanded access to the captives. “Families are horrified and heartbroken,” the ICRC said. They stressed that all parties must cooperate to allow aid and visits. The ICRC also noted they haven’t been able to visit Palestinian detainees in Israel since October 7, 2023. This highlights the challenges they face in staying neutral while pushing for humanitarian access.
Gaza’s crisis is grim. The Government Media Office in Gaza reported that only 36 aid trucks entered on Saturday, far too few to meet the needs of the population. The UN warned that 175 people, including 93 children, have died from starvation. One tragic case was 17-year-old Atef Abu Khater, who weighed just 25kg (55lbs) before his death. These numbers show the desperate need for more aid. For more on Gaza’s humanitarian challenges, visit AMERICA NEWS WORLD.
To illustrate the scale of the crisis, here’s a chart showing aid truck entries to Gaza over the past week:
This chart, viewable on both mobile and desktop, highlights the sharp drop in aid trucks, underscoring the urgency of Hamas’s demand for open corridors. The data comes from Gaza’s Government Media Office and aligns with reports from Al Jazeera.
Families of the captives are losing hope. They criticized Netanyahu’s focus on military solutions, calling it a “direct danger” to the captives’ lives. About 50 captives remain in Gaza, with fewer than half believed to be alive. The families argue that military pressure hasn’t worked after 22 months. They want a deal to bring everyone home. For the latest on these negotiations, check AMERICA NEWS WORLD.
The ICRC also reported a tragic incident in Khan Younis, where a Palestine Red Crescent Society worker was killed in a marked building. The PRCS blamed Israeli forces, but the ICRC didn’t confirm this. This loss adds to the chaos in Gaza, where 33 Palestinians were killed seeking aid on Saturday, according to hospital sources. The violence and starvation make the ICRC’s role even tougher.
For context, the broader crisis in Gaza has drawn global attention. The UN and other groups are pushing for a ceasefire and more aid. Former US President Donald Trump, speaking on August 2, 2025, said the US is helping with food aid but urged Israel to do more. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, visited a controversial aid site in Rafah, run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. These efforts show the international push to address Gaza’s crisis, but challenges remain.
To learn more about the starvation crisis, read this detailed report from Al Jazeera. It covers the latest developments and the ICRC’s role in depth. At AMERICA NEWS WORLD, we’re committed to bringing you clear, timely updates on this ongoing story.
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