German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told Bild in an interview that he was "shocked" by the video of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
The video was released by Hamas and features Eviatar David and Rom Braslavski, who were captured on October 7, 2023. According to their relatives, the hostages are in critical condition.
Friedrich Merz emphasized that "Hamas is torturing the captives, intimidating Israel, and using its own people as human shields." Germany is also calling for the urgent alleviation of the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza.
According to a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, Wadenful, Israel's ongoing blockade is causing starvation, suffering, and deaths.
