European leaders decry Hamas video of Israeli captives: ‘unlimited inhumanity’

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. 

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Macron — who sent geopolitical shockwaves when he announced late last month that France would recognize the state of Palestine come September — renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the return of all hostages and the full resumption of aid to the area. 

Macron on Sunday doubled down on his call for statehood and said ending the conflict is no longer enough.

"This effort must be accompanied by a political solution for the day after. That solution is the two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace. It is the only possible path toward a future where justice, security, and dignity are guaranteed for all the peoples of the region," he said. 

Macron also made clear his position when it comes to Hamas, which some, including Israel and the U.S., have questioned following his push for Palestinian statehood.

"Let there be no ambiguity: within this political vision that we uphold, we demand the total demilitarization of Hamas, its complete exclusion from any form of governance, and recognition of Israel by the State of Palestine," he added. 

Macron’s announcement prompted other Western nations to follow suit, including the U.K., Canada and even Germany — though Berlin’s position on statehood has left room for some ambiguity.

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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.

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.

Pope Leo XIV inspires over a million young Catholics at Rome faith gathering

Rome became the epicenter of a global faith movement over the weekend, as more than 1 million young Catholics answered Pope Leo XIV’s call for faith and service.

"My young brothers and sisters, you are the sign that a different world is possible," the pontiff told the Jubilee of Youth crowd in Tor Vergata, encouraging the sea of young faithful to embrace dialogue over division.

Father Michael Tidd, headmaster at the Delbarton School in Morristown, New Jersey, told Fox News Monday that Pope Leo’s message deeply resonated with the audience.

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"I think what Pope Leo says that resonates so well is that he's not afraid to ask hard questions and to challenge young people to live their faith more deeply, more authentically, to go beyond themselves and not just worry about their own concerns, but seek the good of their brothers and sisters," he told "Fox & Friends."

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According to Tidd, the pope's ability to connect stems from a natural "ease," a way of communicating that is neither overbearing nor condescending.

Rather than lecturing the young Christians, he speaks to them personally, with a touch of warmth and wisdom.

"He has an ability to engage readily, and you see that in his smaller audiences and the audiences at St. Peter's Square and certainly even here, his ability to catch their attention and to have them listen to him, not as someone who's admonishing them or chastising them, but someone who is encouraging, almost like a coach," Tidd observed.

"[He's] encouraging them, motivating them to seek a deeper relationship with Christ, and also to bring the fruits of that relationship to their relationships with their brothers and sisters."

The pope presided over a prayer vigil Saturday evening on the outskirts of Rome where he answered questions from young pilgrims, followed by a Sunday mass.

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