Israeli FM Sa'ar addresses UNSC, blasts countries who give Hamas 'incentive to continue this war'

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar spoke at a special UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Tuesday regarding the condition of the remaining hostages in Gaza and the circumstances in the Middle East.

“I came here to put the issue of the hostages front and center on the world stage… I came to call for the immediate and unconditional release of our hostages,” Sa’ar told the press prior to the meeting.

Sa’ar reminded the world about the videos recently publicized by Hamas showing Israeli hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski being starved, tortured, and forced to dig their own graves. “Hamas and Islamic Jihad use the starvation and torture as part of a deliberate and well-planned sadistic propaganda campaign,” he said.

In his statement, Sa’ar also spoke about the ongoing war initiated by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. “Hamas is also responsible for the continuation of this war – by still refusing to release our hostages and lay down its arms. The international pressure must be on Hamas.”

Sa’ar denounced the countries who have supported Hamas and campaigned against Israel. “There are countries that acted – also in this building - to pressure Israel instead of Hamas, during sensitive days in the negotiations,” he said. “They gave Hamas free gifts and an incentive to continue this war.”

Sa'ar directly criticized UN Secretary-General António Guterres for his lack of response to the recently released, disturbing videos of Israeli hostages.

"And I ask here, at the United Nations Security Council: Do you know what Secretary-General Guterres tweeted after the horrible images of Evyatar and Rom were released? Not a word. Deafening silence. Yet we all see his endless and obsessive tweets against Israel. Time and again."

Sa’ar also spoke about Israel’s desire to feed the civilian population of Gaza, even as their [Gaza's] own government vows to destroy the Jewish state.

“The truth must be told. Israel is facilitating huge amounts of aid into Gaza. No other country acts this way in war,” he said.

Israel has assisted over 100,000 aid trucks into the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, including food, medical supplies, and hygiene products.