Hostages, humanity, and hard choices: Defending the Red Cross’s mission in Gaza

The scenes surrounding the returns of Hamas-held hostages, or their remains, in Gaza have been disturbing and dehumanizing. The International Committee of the Red Cross remains concerned about the exploitation of hostages in these handovers, which we’ve been entrusted by Israel to facilitate eight times this year.

We have been unequivocal: Every release of hostages from Gaza, whether of the living or the deceased, must be conducted with dignity and privacy. We have communicated these expectations frequently and clearly, both privately and publicly.