The government demanded on Sunday the immediate and unconditional release of hostages by Hamas. This call was made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE) and minister Paulo Rangel after Islamic groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad released images of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip, which the Portuguese government deemed “shocking and unworthy.”
“Hamas must release the hostages immediately and unconditionally. The cruel manipulation of suffering, intensified by shocking and unworthy images, is extreme terrorism. As stated in the New York declaration, Hamas must be disarmed and removed from Gaza. Humanitarian aid is urgent,” a post on social media by the MNE stated.
The publication of three videos since Thursday by Hamas and allied Islamic Jihad showing two hostages caused great concern in Israel and reignited the debate about the urgent need to reach an agreement for their release as quickly as possible.
Tens of thousands of people gathered on Saturday night in Tel Aviv in support of the families and to demand the release of the hostages.
In the images from the two groups, the hostages appear visibly weakened and thin, aiming to draw a parallel with the current humanitarian situation in Gaza, which the UN warns is threatened by “widespread hunger.”
In the video featuring Evyatar David, presented with the phrase ‘They eat what we eat,’ images of malnourished children in Gaza are alternated with those of David, who appears to be in a tunnel, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, both 24, were kidnapped at a music festival during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which sparked the war.
Last Thursday, the Portuguese Prime Minister announced he would consult the President of the Republic and political parties with parliamentary representation regarding the potential recognition of the Palestinian State.
According to the government, the recognition of the Palestinian State will only occur in coordination with a group of countries with whom Portugal has “maintained a permanent dialogue and who actively participated in this conference [in New York]” and if the Palestinian Authority meets certain conditions and guarantees.
To date, at least 142 of the 193 UN member countries recognize the Palestinian State, according to the France-Presse news agency.
From political parties to the President of the Republic (and potential successors), numerous reactions emerged on Thursday to the announcement that Portugal is open to recognizing Palestine as a state. On the left, there is talk of “delay,” while the right calls for unity.
Teresa Banha with Lusa | 08:34 – 01/08/2025
