Israeli FM Blames Recognition of Palestinian State for Derailing Ceasefire and Prolonging Gaza War

by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar delivered a forceful rebuke at the United Nations on Tuesday, accusing countries that recently moved to recognize a Palestinian state of sabotaging a ceasefire deal and giving Hamas “free gifts” that have prolonged the war in Gaza.

“There are countries that acted, also in this building, to pressure Israel instead of Hamas during sensitive days in the negotiations by attacking Israel, campaigning against Israel, and the announcement of a recognition of a virtual Palestinian state,” Sa’ar said at a press briefing ahead of a UN Security Council session on the Palestinian issue. “They gave Hamas free gifts and incentives to continue this war. They directly assassinated the hostage deal and ceasefire.”

Among the countries cited are the UK, France, Canada, and others that have recently pledged to recognize a Palestinian state–some unconditionally, others based on developments in Gaza. Sa’ar insisted that such moves empowered Hamas to harden its stance and refuse a hostage deal.

“Let me be clear: these countries prolonged the war,” he said. “Hamas is responsible for beginning this war by invading Israel and committing the October 7 atrocities. 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. Anything else only prolongs the war.”

Sa’ar’s remarks came as footage emerged over the weekend showing two Israeli hostages, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavsky, in a state of extreme emaciation. The videos, released by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, sparked outrage and grief across Israel and beyond.

“This past weekend, the world witnessed the cruel starvation of Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski,” Sa’ar said. “Tortured deliberately by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The world saw their terrible condition, bones standing out in their skin, like living skeletons. Evyatar was forced to dig his own grave. This is satanic.”

Despite accusations against Israel for limiting humanitarian aid, Sa’ar emphasized, “Israel is facilitating huge amounts of aid into Gaza. No other country acts this way in war.”

Adding a deeply emotional and personal appeal to the session, Ilay David–the older brother of hostage Evyatar David–spoke directly to the Security Council.

“My brother was a living skeleton, his voice barely recognizable. He was forced to dig his own grave inside a filthy, dark tunnel in Gaza,” Ilay said. “My father cannot sleep, and my mother has not stopped crying. What would you do, if God forbid, it was your son, father, brother?”

Ilay warned that the hostages are on the brink of death. “We know now from medical reports that Evyatar and the other hostages may only have days to live. My little brother now weighs only 40 kilograms.”

He criticized the international community for failing to act decisively. “This is a humanitarian crisis. The very soul of humanity is being scarred by Hamas. The terrorists always had food nearby–and would relish in this while the hostages starved.”

Calling on the UN and world leaders to unite, he said: “The time for deliberation has run out. Their lives depend on immediate intervention. Humanitarian aid must reach the hostages. They have not received a shred of it since being taken–this is a flagrant violation of international law.”

“We all have a responsibility,” he concluded. “Your silence is complicity. I urge you–don’t let them die. Act now, before it’s too late. Save Evyatar David. Bring my little brother home.”

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