Israeli Minister: Hostage Issue Must Be ‘Front and Center’ Globally

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has publicly condemned Hamas for a “sadistic propaganda campaign” and called for the “issue of the hostages” to be “front and center on the world stage!” The minister’s remarks followed the release of distressing videos showing two Israeli captives, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, in a visibly deteriorated state. He asserted that the starvation and torture of these individuals are deliberate propaganda tactics.
Sa’ar drew a powerful parallel between Hamas’s actions and the crimes of the Nazis and ISIS. He also expressed frustration with the lack of international oversight, noting that the Red Cross has not been allowed to visit the 50 remaining hostages despite an agreement. The minister further alleged that the starvation narrative in Gaza is a “fake propaganda campaign,” which he believes is disproven by the amount of aid entering the region.
He framed hostage-taking as a dangerous global phenomenon used by terror groups to ensure their survival and interests. Sa’ar warned that this tactic could happen “anywhere” and urged the international community to make it unprofitable for terrorists. He announced his trip to New York to attend a special UN Security Council session he initiated to urgently address the hostage situation.
In a broader critique, Sa’ar accused international media of a “shameful” and “anti-Israeli agenda” and condemned countries for creating a false “symmetry” between hostages and terrorists. He further claimed that diplomatic moves have rewarded Hamas and sabotaged negotiations, ending with a call for countries to “do some soul-searching.”