
Mon Aug 04 01:20:13 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article rewritten from it:
**Summary:**
Tensions escalate in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as Hamas releases videos of malnourished Israeli hostages, triggering outrage and calls for action. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu requests ICRC assistance for the hostages, while Hamas demands humanitarian corridors in Gaza in exchange for ICRC access. Violence continues in Gaza, with reports of civilian casualties from Israeli fire at aid distribution sites. Amid the crisis, a far-right Israeli minister conducts a prayer at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and advocates for the annexation of Gaza.
**News Article:**
**Outrage Mounts as Hamas Releases Images of Malnourished Hostages; Netanyahu Seeks ICRC Intervention**
**Jerusalem – August 4, 2025** – Shockwaves are reverberating through Israel and the international community following the release of videos by Hamas showing visibly emaciated Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The images, featuring hostages Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David, have intensified calls for a truce and a hostage release deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to provide food and medical assistance to the hostages. He spoke directly with ICRC coordinator Julien Lerisson, requesting immediate action. The ICRC stated it was “appalled by the harrowing videos” and reiterated its call for access to the hostages.
Hamas’s armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, responded by saying it would grant the ICRC access only if “humanitarian corridors” were opened for food and aid to all areas of Gaza. The group denied intentionally starving the hostages but insisted they would not receive special treatment “amid the crime of starvation and siege” in the region.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with reports of increasing violence and humanitarian crisis. Gaza’s civil Defence agency reported that Israeli fire killed nine Palestinians waiting for food rations near Rafah. Further reports indicate additional casualties near other aid distribution sites. The Israeli military has yet to comment on these incidents.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the images of the hostages as evidence of Hamas’s barbarity, demanding the unconditional release of all captives and calling for Hamas to disarm. She also emphasized the urgent need for large-scale humanitarian aid to reach those in need in Gaza.
Adding further fuel to the fire, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a far-right figure, conducted a Jewish prayer at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, a move considered highly provocative. He also advocated for the annexation of Gaza and the “voluntary emigration” of its Palestinian population.