Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has made a forceful statement, comparing Hamas to notorious groups like the Nazis and ISIS, while condemning the group for a “sadistic propaganda campaign” using hostages. His comments came after the release of distressing videos showing two Israeli captives, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, in a severely deteriorated condition. Sa’ar argued that the starvation and torture of these individuals are part of a calculated propaganda effort.
The minister also highlighted what he described as the international community’s failure to act decisively. He pointed out that despite an agreement, the Red Cross has not been allowed to visit the remaining 50 hostages. Sa’ar further alleged that the starvation narrative in Gaza is a “fake propaganda campaign” orchestrated by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, intended to mislead the media and the world.
Sa’ar warned that the phenomenon of kidnapping civilians is a global threat, used by terror groups as a strategic tool for their own survival. He urged the international community to make it a “not worthwhile” endeavor for terrorists. To press this issue, he announced his travel to New York to attend a special UN Security Council session he helped to convene.
In a broader critique, Sa’ar accused a significant portion of the international media of an “unbalanced and twisted anti-Israeli agenda.” He also called out countries for creating a false “symmetry” between hostages and terrorists, and for taking diplomatic steps that he believes have rewarded Hamas and made a hostage deal more difficult to achieve.
