Hamas floats idea of letting aid in for Israeli hostages

(NewsNation) — Hamas recently said it's prepared to coordinate with the Red Cross to deliver aid to Israeli hostages it holds in Gaza.

The announcement comes after Hamas released video of two hostages who are suffering from malnutrition. Hamas said its offer stands only if Israel agrees to two demands: permanently open corridors to humanitarian aid into Gaza and halt all strikes during aid distribution.

People who have seen the videos of the hostages said the state they're in is reminiscent of what Jews went through in concentration camps under the Nazi regime during the Holocaust. According to Reuters, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested the Red Cross' involvement in providing food and immediate medical care to the hostages.

"Hamas's starvation libel is reverberating around the world, while the systematic starvation is carried out against our hostages, who are being subjected to inhumane physical and mental abuse," Netanyahu said in a statement.

The Red Cross has reiterated its calls to be granted access to the hostages so it can assess their conditions, provide support and facilitate communication with their families. It has not been able to access any hostages since Oct. 7, 2023.

The release of the video also comes on the heels of U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff's visit to Gaza, where he oversaw aid distribution from American and Israeli-backed humanitarian groups. Israel has faced scrutiny for a mass hunger crisis in the region.

Netanyahu is meeting with his cabinet sometime this week to talk about next steps in the ongoing conflict, as Witkoff said he is working on a plan to end the war and bring home the hostages.