Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has launched a fierce critique of international diplomacy, specifically targeting efforts to recognize a Palestinian state. He lambasted these moves as an “immoral” and “politically foolish” reward for Hamas’s terror, which he believes has “assassinated the chances to reach a hostage deal.” Sa’ar’s remarks came in the wake of disturbing videos released by Hamas, which showed two captives, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, in a state of distress.
Sa’ar characterized Hamas’s actions as a calculated “sadistic propaganda campaign.” He highlighted the apparent starvation and torture of the hostages as a “deliberate and well-planned” tactic, drawing grim comparisons to the barbarism of the Nazis and ISIS. He argued that such actions are not just acts of cruelty but a form of psychological warfare aimed at both the hostages’ families and the broader international community.
The minister also expressed deep frustration with the lack of international oversight regarding the remaining captives. He pointed out that despite an explicit agreement, the 50 hostages have not been visited by the Red Cross. Sa’ar also challenged the prevalent narrative of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, branding the “starvation narrative” a “fake propaganda campaign” and insisting that the amount of aid entering the area disproves the claims.
In an effort to galvanize global action, Sa’ar announced his departure for a special UN Security Council session he organized in New York. He plans to present hostage-taking as a global threat and an effective tool for terrorist groups seeking to advance their own interests. He concluded his speech by urging the world to reject the “false symmetry” between the innocent hostages and the “murderers” who hold them.