Israel – Israel Hayom, Sept. 03, 2025
Nizar Zakka, who was freed from Iranian captivity in 2019, urges Qatar to ensure Israeli hostages in Gaza receive food, medical care and humane treatment in line with Islamic values.
Nizar Zakka, who heads Hostage Aid Worldwide, has sent an appeal to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, urging him to act to stop the starvation of Israeli hostages in Gaza.
Zakka, who was himself held captive in Iran for four years during the previous decade, reminded the Qatari leader that his country has already played a central role in saving lives, including the release of 105 hostages in November 2023. “The world recognizes your unique and courageous stance against hostage-taking,” he wrote, “and I believe that Hamas’ leadership also understands and respects Qatar’s credibility both as a mediator and as a humanitarian leader.”
On this basis, Zakka appealed: “I urge you to use all your influence to ensure that the hostages receive adequate food, medical care and humane treatment, in line with Islamic principles.”
Citing Islamic tradition, Zakka emphasized that prisoners must be treated with dignity regardless of how their own people treated Muslim captives. “History reminds us that after the Battle of Badr, prisoners were offered bread while their captors subsisted on dates,” he noted.
Zakka clarified that his appeal does not come at the expense of compassion for the suffering of Gaza’s residents. “The organization I represent has worked tirelessly to press Israeli leaders to end the conflict and provide full humanitarian support to the civilians of Gaza,” he said. But he urged the Qatari prime minister to act “with deep urgency regarding the plight of the Israeli hostages now held in Gaza.”
