Colombia, the United States and sixteen other countries have joined forces to launch a joint statement that increases international pressure on Hamas, demanding the release of the hostages that this Islamist group has been holding in the Gaza Strip for more than two hundred days.
This global call comes at a critical time, where the fate of detained citizens, including those from signatory nations, hangs in the balance. “We demand the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza“, highlights the statement released by the White House, marking a milestone in international diplomacy in its effort to resolve one of the most protracted and painful conflicts of the century.
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This document is signed by leaders of Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Spain, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, as well as the United States and Colombia.
The preparation of the statement, as revealed by a senior US official, faced significant challenges due to disagreements in the wording, which delayed its release until now.. The final version, prepared in the last two weeks, seeks to be a clear message of unity and determination in the face of the atrocities committed by Hamas.
“The situation of the hostages and civilian population in Gaza, protected by international law, is a cause for global concern,” the statement states, underscoring the severity of the humanitarian crisis facing the region. Mediation efforts led by Qatar, the United States and Egypt are underway, attempting to reach an agreement that will allow the release of the hostages and guarantee an “immediate and prolonged” ceasefire in Gaza.
According to the details shared, this proposal would facilitate not only the release of the hostages, but also improvements in the living conditions of Gazans, allowing their return to homes and lands, with access to humanitarian assistance.
However, these efforts have been thwarted by Hamas’ recent refusal to accept the proposal, demanding a permanent ceasefire rather than a temporary truce. This impasse comes at a particularly tense time, following the release of a video by Hamas showing one of the Israeli hostages, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government for their inability to secure his release.
Goldberg-Polin’s words reflect the desperation and suffering of the approximately 129 Israelis still held captive in Gaza, of whom, according to Hamas, around seventy may have already died.
The latest mediation offer includes the release of women, elderly men and other males with serious medical conditions, a measure intended to alleviate the humanitarian impact of prolonged hostage detention.
For now, the international community remains expectant, hoping that this call to action marks the beginning of a new chapter towards peace and justice for those affected by decades of conflict.
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, an organization that advocates for the return of the hostages, has reacted to Goldberg-Polin’s video, expressing concern for the well-being of the captives and underscoring the urgency of their release. Goldberg-Polin’s family, particularly her mother Rachel Goldberg, who even met with Pope Francis for support, has been vocal about the need to bring Hersh and the other hostages home.
On the Israeli side, Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the Israeli Armed Forces, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continuing operations against Hamas until the release of all hostages is ensured and condemned the terrorist group’s use of psychological terror tactics.
The violence unleashed since the initial attack on October 7 has resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, according to official Israeli figures, while the offensive in Gaza has claimed the lives of 34,262 people, mostly civilians, according to the Ministry of Health of Loop. The armed conflict has also left about 129 of the approximately 250 hostages kidnapped in October still in the hands of Hamas, of whom 34 have been declared dead by Israeli authorities.
