Approximately 600 retired Israeli security officials, including former intelligence chiefs, have written to former U.S. President Donald Trump urging him to pressure Israel for an immediate end to the Gaza war. The BBC reported on the letter, circulated to media, which stated: “It is our professional conviction that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel. Your credibility with the vast majority of Israelis enhances your ability to guide Netanyahu and his government toward the right path: ending the war and suffering, and securing the hostages’ return.”
The UN Security Council will convene a special session on Tuesday, August 5th, at the request of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, to discuss the 50 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, according to his office cited by Times of Israel. Council members are expected to vote on a resolution demanding a ceasefire and unlimited humanitarian access to Gaza. Sa’ar forcefully requested the meeting following the release of footage showing two visibly emaciated hostages. The session was not yet listed on the Security Council’s online agenda.
In Gaza, three people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, according to sources at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital reported by Al Jazeera. Separately, two Palestinians were killed and over 20 injured near a humanitarian aid distribution site in southern Gaza, the Strip’s ambulance service told Al Jazeera, noting one victim was a woman. Hospital sources in Gaza stated that six people had been killed in Israeli attacks since dawn. The Hamas-run Health Ministry reported five adults died from starvation or malnutrition in the past 24 hours, raising the total death toll from malnutrition-related causes to 180, including 93 children. These reports remain unverifiable independently, as Israel bars international and Israeli journalists from entering Gaza.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stated it was “appalled” by footage released by Hamas showing Israeli hostages Evyatar David and Rom Breslavski in degrading conditions. “We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held in Gaza. All forms of public exposure that humiliate people deprived of their liberty must be avoided. This situation must end,” the ICRC declared. Hours later, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus echoed the call: “All hostages must have access to food and medical care, they must not be humiliated.”
Related developments:
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif with settlers, prompting condemnation from the Arab world. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated the status quo would not change (ANSA).
Prime Minister Netanyahu held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, their second conversation in recent days (ANSA).