Sa’ar: ‘Starvation and Torture of Hostages’ is a Strategic Tool

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has publicly condemned Hamas for a “sadistic propaganda campaign,” stating that the “starvation and torture of hostages” are being used as a strategic tool. The minister’s remarks followed the release of videos showing two Israeli captives, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, in a visibly deteriorated state. Sa’ar highlighted the stark contrast between the “starved and tortured” captives and their “well-fed terrorist” captors.
He made a strong comparison between Hamas’s actions and the crimes of the Nazis and ISIS. Sa’ar also expressed frustration with the lack of international oversight, noting that the 50 remaining hostages have not been seen by the Red Cross 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.
Sa’ar framed hostage-taking as a dangerous global phenomenon used by terror groups to ensure their survival and interests. He 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.”