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."
He also asked that in the absence of negotiations, Qatar should facilitate immediate access for humanitarian organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, so they can check on the hostages' condition and provide assistance. "Concrete and verifiable steps must be taken without delay to improve their situation," he said, adding that "mistreatment of prisoners is unacceptable. Hostages must not bear the weight of this conflict."
In a direct appeal to the Qatari leader, whose country faces international criticism, Zakka wrote that "history will remember the leaders who chose to act at this critical moment. Qatar has the power to save lives and reaffirm the dignity of all people, both Palestinians and Israelis, who are caught in this tragedy."
Hostage Aid Worldwide is an international organization that advocates for hostages globally. It is recognized by the United Nations and maintains close ties with the White House. Zakka, a Lebanese-American citizen, was kidnapped by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and freed in 2019 by the administration of US President Donald Trump.
