Hamas has announced its readiness to coordinate with the Red Cross to deliver aid to hostages it holds in Gaza, if Israel meets certain conditions. The coordination is contingent upon Israel permanently opening humanitarian corridors and halting airstrikes during the distribution of aid. Israeli officials claim that 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with only 20 believed to be alive. Hamas has barred humanitarian organizations from having access to the hostages, and families have little or no details of their conditions.
The Hostages Families Forum, which represents relatives of those being held in Gaza, demanded their immediate release and stated that Hamas has the obligation to provide them with everything they need. The Israeli government blames Hamas for the suffering in Gaza but has announced steps last week to let more aid reach the population, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas, approving air drops, and announcing protected routes for aid convoys.
U.N. agencies say airdrops are insufficient and that Israel must let in far more aid by land and open up access to the territory to prevent starvation among its 2.2 million people, most of whom are displaced amidst vast swathes of rubble. Over 23,000 tons of humanitarian aid in 1,200 trucks had entered Gaza during the past week, but hundreds of the trucks had yet to be driven to aid distribution hubs by U.N. and other international organizations.
