In the videos released by Islamic Jihad and Hamas, Rom Braslavski, 21, and Evyatar David, 24, can be seen, who were taken hostage during Hamas' terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Evyatar David is forced in a clip to dig his own grave, which has provoked strong reactions.
France's President Emmanuel Macron calls the videos "inhuman" and evidence of Hamas' "unrelenting cruelty". He emphasizes that France's top priority is the immediate release of the hostages.
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz believes that Hamas must not have any future role in Gaza.
The EU's Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas describes the videos as evidence of "barbarism" and demands that Hamas be disarmed.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha joins the criticism and calls the treatment of the hostages "inhuman".
Of the 251 people taken hostage in 2023, 49 are still being held in Gaza, of which 27 are feared to be dead, according to Israel.
In Hamas' attack in 2023, over 1,200 people were killed, mostly civilians.
Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza has, according to local health authorities, claimed over 60,000 lives. The UN considers these figures to be reliable.
