German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed his indignation at propaganda movies by the Palestinian militant group Hamas exhibiting emaciated Israeli hostages.
“I’m appalled by the pictures of Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski. Hamas is torturing the hostages, terrorizing Israel and utilizing its personal inhabitants within the Gaza Strip as a protect,” Merz informed the German newspaper Bild.
“That is exactly why there isn’t any approach round a negotiated ceasefire in the interim. The discharge of all hostages is an absolute prerequisite for this.”
Merz added: “Israel is not going to reciprocate Hamas’ cynicism and should proceed to supply humanitarian help.”
International Minister Johann Wadephul, who returned from a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories on Friday, additionally expressed his shock.
The pictures present the “perfidy” of the hostages’ “tormentors,” Wadephul informed Bild.
In a video launched on the weekend, 24-year-old Evyatar David, emaciated to the bone, will be seen in a slim tunnel in Gaza, reportedly digging his personal grave.
The pictures have prompted criticism from worldwide leaders together with French President Emmanuel Macron and the EU’s high diplomat, Kaja Kallas.
