Baerbock welcomes hostage release but denounces Hamas’ public display

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has strongly criticized Hamas for parading three freed Israeli hostages in public, including Israeli-German citizen Ohad Ben Ami, as part of a fifth prisoner exchange between Israel and Palestinian detainees.

“It is unbearable that Hamas once again displayed the three men in public, even at the last moment, and forced them to give ‘interviews’,” Baerbock wrote on the social media platform Bluesky on Saturday.

While welcoming their release, Baerbock denounced the public exploitation of the captives, a move widely seen as psychological abuse and a propaganda tactic.

Hamas has come under increased scrutiny for its handling of hostage releases, with multiple governments and humanitarian organizations condemning the forced public displays of individuals who had already endured prolonged captivity.

Baerbock’s comments reflect Germany’s firm stance against Hamas' tactics, as Berlin continues to advocate for the safe and humane treatment of all hostages while supporting ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure their full release.