ICRC Raises Concerns Over Hostage Release Conditions Amid Ongoing Ceasefire

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has voiced growing concern about the conditions surrounding the recent release of hostages in Gaza. While facilitating the first phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, the ICRC emphasized that the release of hostages should be “dignified and private” rather than the spectacle witnessed during recent release ceremonies. The organization raised concerns about large crowds of Gazans swarming the hostages during their release, which they described as distressing and disrespectful.

The ICRC has repeatedly made both private and public statements urging that these releases take place in a more humane and controlled manner. They emphasized that the "ceasefire agreement must hold so that more release operations can take place and more aid can enter Gaza," acknowledging the critical importance of ensuring these humanitarian efforts continue.

The first phase of the hostage release, which occurred on February 1, 2025, saw Hamas terrorists hand over several Israeli hostages to the Red Cross. However, the scenes were chaotic, with mass crowds of Gazans swarming the released hostages. This type of behavior has sparked strong reactions from various international and Israeli officials.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the conditions under which hostages were released, labeling it an act of “unfathomable brutality” by Hamas. He demanded that mediators take action to prevent such scenes from happening again and ensure the safety of future hostages.

The ICRC, however, remains committed to facilitating further hostage release operations, with hopes that the ceasefire agreement will hold long enough to allow additional releases and humanitarian aid to reach Gaza. But the organization has faced significant backlash in Israel, with former hostages accusing the ICRC of failing to deliver necessary medical aid during their captivity. Former Israeli UN ambassador Gilad Erdan also accused the ICRC of covering up Hamas’s crimes, further fueling tensions surrounding the organization’s role in the ongoing crisis.