Leaders from across Europe responded in horror on Sunday to the recent footage released by Hamas of Israeli captives Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David, who were taken hostage nearly 670 days ago.

French President Emmanuel Macron took to X to call the clearly emancipated state of both hostages a depiction of Hamas’ “unlimited inhumanity” and decried it as “abject cruelty.”

“This is what Hamas embodies,” he added. 

This screengrab from a video released on July 31 by Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, shows a hostage, identified as Rom Braslavski by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. (/Islamic Jihad Media Office/AFP via Getty Images)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz echoed Macron’s comments in an interview with German outlet Bild on Sunday and reportedly said the videos of the hostages “show that Hamas should no longer play a role in the future of Gaza.”

Merz also called on Israel not to block more aid to Gaza in retaliation for the cruelty. 

U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy also took to X on Sunday and called the videos “sickening” displays of Hamas “propaganda.”

“Every hostage must be released unconditionally,” he said. “Hamas must disarm and have no control over Gaza. 

“We are working with partners on a long-term solution and plan for peace. This must begin with an immediate ceasefire, that frees the hostages, as well as removing inhumane aid restrictions,” Lammy added. 

The recently released footage of two of the 50 hostages still held in Gaza coincided with a trip White House envoy Steve Witkoff took to Israel late last week, during which he visited with leaders and the families of the hostages in Tel Aviv.

Reporting has suggested the U.S. is now pushing for a comprehensive deal that would include a complete ceasefire and the return of all hostages, rather than incremental deals apparently favored by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Families of hostages protest, demanding their release from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, at the plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Witkoff reportedly told the families of the hostages that he believes the U.S. and the other allied nations are helping to mediate the negotiations, that a deal is close to being secured – though this belief has been expressed numerous times to no avail. 

Only American hostage Edan Alexander has been released under a deal not previously forged by the Biden and the then-incoming Trump administrations, which saw the release of 33 hostages by March.