Qatar is mediating high-level talks between Israel and Hamas to potentially deliver medicine to both Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip and civilians there.
Family members of the 120 hostages believed to be still being held in Gaza raised concerns about their medical needs during a meeting in Doha with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Adbdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, an official confirmed to the New York Times.
Daniel Lifshitz, grandson of the 83-year-old hostage, Oded Lifshitz, also told the channel about the conversation.
Some of the hostages suffer from chronic conditions such as cancer and diabetes, and require regular prescription drugs, the Times explained.
“The fact that so many hostages have been denied the medicines they need is a death sentence. They should receive what they need on day one,” Lifshitz said.
A supporter of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza holds a sign at a protest calling for their return. AP
An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said talks on medicines for both the hostages and Gaza civilians affected by Israel’s counterattack on the Gaza Strip had made progress.
Israel has shown a willingness to allow the delivery of medicines to civilians, the official explained.
Only 15 of the three dozen hospitals in Gaza are at least partially functional three months after the war, according to the United Nations.
A Jewish worshiper holds a sign as they join a mass prayer for the speedy and safe return of Israelis who have been held hostage in the Gaza Strip. Reuters
Senior Hamas official Husam Badran wrote in a text message that the terror group participated in the talks “very positively,” the Times added.
Israel has allowed truckloads of medicine into Gaza, but the UN claims that supplies have mostly failed to reach residents.
“If this situation continues, I am worried that many will not be able to survive. We are dealing with an impossible situation,” Waleed Abu Hatab, director of maternal medicine at Nasser Medical Center in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, told the Times by phone.
A man walks past portraits of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip since the October 7 attacks in Tel Aviv. AFP via Getty Images
The hospital lacked infant formula, vaccines and anesthetics, he explained.
Meanwhile, the Red Cross has not been able to visit the hostages since the war began, the Times reported.
The organization does not know where the hostages are being held, the outlet said.
Families and supporters of the Israeli hostages hold photos of their loved ones during the protest. AP
“In a humanitarian initiative, the ICRC team has urged parties and those with influence to send medicines to the hostages,” Jason Straziuso, spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross, told the Times.
“The most critical step is to get the medicines into the hands of those who need them. We will not be satisfied until they do,” Straziuso stressed.
“All hostages’ lives are at risk, especially those who need medical attention,” said Dr. Hagai Levine, medical team chair with the Hostage and Missing Families Forum.
“It is my hope that they finally get the treatment they deserve,” he said.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
