The world made a solemn vow in the wake of the Holocaust: Never Again. That promise was meant to be a commitment that the world would never again stand by while innocent people were brutalized, dehumanized, and slaughtered. Today, as Israeli hostages emerge from Palestinian Hamas captivity after 491 days of starvation, abuse, and terror—emaciated, traumatized, and forced to perform for their captors—it is clear that the international community has failed.
The release of Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami, and Or Levy is a moment of relief. Still, it is not a moment of victory. Their suffering, the suffering of those still in captivity, and the grotesque spectacle Hamas has made of their release demonstrate the world's moral collapse. How is it possible that world leaders who once swore to prevent such horrors now tolerate the existence of a Palestinian terror regime that engages in hostage-taking, public humiliation, and war crimes?
We commend President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their unwavering commitment to securing the release of every hostage and ensuring that Hamas never again poses a threat to Israel or the world. Secretary Rubio has made it clear: "Hamas MUST release ALL hostages NOW!" His direct engagement with Qatar and Egypt reflects this administration's resolve to hold Hamas accountable and ensure its total defeat.
Palestinian Hamas' treatment of these hostages is not just an attack on Israel; it is an attack on civilization itself. The images of skeletal hostages paraded in front of cameras should evoke a visceral response in every world leader who has ever uttered the words Never Again.
Reports confirm that Palestinian Hamas taunted the hostages, withholding crucial information about their loved ones and, in some cases, cruelly revealing their murders only upon their release. Eli Sharabi, who had endured nearly 500 days of captivity, was left unaware that his wife and daughters had been murdered on October 7—only to learn this devastating truth once he was finally freed.
In a profoundly troubling display, Palestinian Hamas terrorists orchestrated a public spectacle during the release of these hostages, forcing them to deliver statements praising their captors while appearing frail and emaciated after nearly 500 days of captivity. This event was broadcast live by media outlets, including Qatar-run Al Jazeera, which provided a platform for Palestinian Hamas's propaganda.
This display underscores the undeniable fact that the status quo in Gaza is unsustainable. For years, Palestinian Hamas has entrenched itself as a terror regime, using civilians as human shields, siphoning humanitarian aid for military purposes, and holding both Israelis and Palestinians hostage to its rule. The world can no longer tolerate half-measures or temporary ceasefires that allow Palestinian Hamas to regroup and rearm.
"The international community's failure to hold Hamas and its enablers accountable is a moral disgrace. Qatar continues to bankroll terrorists, and Al Jazeera is their propaganda arm—yet too many world leaders still pretend otherwise. The time for diplomacy with terror financiers is over. The U.S. and its allies must take decisive action now," said John Mirisch, Chief Policy Officer, ICAN.
Steffen Seibert, the German ambassador to Israel, remarked, "Almost unbearable to see the emaciated hostages forced to give interviews to some Hamas 'reporter.' Parading them like that is yet another terrible crime by the terrorists." Simon Walters, the British ambassador to Israel, expressed his repulsion, stating, "I am repelled by the grotesque spectacle organised by Hamas. The condition of the hostages is very worrying. We must get all the hostages out as soon as possible."
The fact that media outlets are complicit in legitimizing Hamas' psychological warfare is unacceptable. The international community cannot continue to disregard Al Jazeera's role in disseminating terror propaganda—Hamas' enablers—whether state sponsors like Qatar or media mouthpieces—must be held accountable.
"Seeing emaciated hostages paraded in front of cameras like a grotesque propaganda show is beyond reprehensible—it is a war crime. Al Jazeera is not a news organization; it is Hamas' PR firm. We must call it what it is and take the necessary steps to cut off Hamas' financial and media support. Qatar and its state-controlled network must face real consequences," said Robert Mayer, National Co-Chair of ICAN.
We call on the Trump administration and Congress to use every diplomatic, economic, and strategic tool available to exert maximum pressure on Palestinian Hamas and its chief financial enabler, Qatar, to ensure the immediate return of every hostage.
Every day that these hostages remain in captivity, every moment that passes without real consequences for Palestinian Hamas and its enablers, is another betrayal of the promise of Never Again. The international community is failing not just Israelis but humanity itself.