In a powerful press conference, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned Hamas for a “sadistic propaganda campaign” while also pushing back against international narratives. The minister’s remarks were sparked by the release of disturbing videos of two Israeli hostages, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, in visibly deteriorated conditions. Sa’ar asserted that Hamas and Islamic Jihad are using the starvation and torture of captives as a deliberate tool for propaganda.
Sa’ar drew a direct line from Hamas’s actions to the atrocities committed by the Nazis and ISIS. He also highlighted the failure of international oversight, noting that the 50 remaining hostages have not been seen by the Red Cross, despite a clear agreement. The minister further alleged that the starvation narrative in Gaza is a “fake propaganda campaign” designed to mislead the world.
He framed hostage-taking as a dangerous global phenomenon that terror groups use to secure their survival. Sa’ar warned that this tactic could be used “anywhere” and urged the international community to make it a fruitless endeavor for terrorists. To address this, he announced his plans to travel to New York for a special UN Security Council session he initiated, with the support of the US and Panama.
Sa’ar also took aim at what he called “global hypocrisy,” specifically condemning the idea of a “symmetry” between hostages and terrorists. He criticized French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments on “hostages on both sides,” stating, “There are hostages on one side. And terrorists on the other.” He further accused countries like France, the UK, and Canada of “rewarding terror” with diplomatic steps that he believes have sabotaged negotiations.