EU's Kallas: Hamas must disarm and end its rule in Gaza

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has strongly condemned recent images of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, calling for their immediate and unconditional release while also urging humanitarian assistance for Gaza.

“The images of Israeli hostages are appalling and expose the barbarity of Hamas. All hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. Hamas must disarm and end its rule in Gaza.
At the same time, large-scale humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those in need,” Kallas wrote on X, Caliber.Az reports. 

The images of Israeli hostages are appalling and expose the barbarity of Hamas. All hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally.

Hamas must disarm and end its rule in Gaza.

At the same time, large-scale humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those in need.

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) August 3, 2025

Her remarks come after Hamas and Islamic Jihad released three videos in recent days showing two hostages captured during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. 

The footage features 21-year-old Rom Braslavski, a German-Israeli dual citizen, and 24-year-old Evyatar David. Both appeared visibly weak and malnourished, prompting outrage in Israel and renewed calls for a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

One of the videos showed David digging what he said was his own grave, a moment that triggered widespread condemnation and emotional responses across the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement late on August 2 that he had spoken with the families of the two hostages and “expressed profound shock over the materials distributed by the terror organisations.” He assured them that “the efforts to return all our hostages are ongoing.”

Earlier the same day, tens of thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv to demand that Netanyahu’s government take action to secure the release of the remaining captives.

The videos also included references to the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where UN experts have warned that a “famine is unfolding.”

By Sabina Mammadli