Explainer: What is the Red Cross doing to help hostages taken from Israel?
As a neutral intermediary, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) can play an important practical role once the release of hostages has been agreed.
Last updated 2 October 2024
On 7 October 2023, 1,200 people were killed in Israel and 251 taken hostage.
It has been a year of agony for the families of those held hostage in Gaza, as they remain caught between hope and despair.
Throughout this time, colleagues from the ICRC have worked around the clock to advocate on behalf of those being held and provide desperate families with information.
Since day one, the ICRC has called for the immediate and unconditional release of those being held. They have also called for access to the hostages so they can check on their wellbeing, deliver medicine, and provide contact with loved ones.
But the ICRC has not yet been granted access to the hostages, and this is a source of deep frustration and concern - for the families affected, and for our colleagues.
At the British Red Cross we remain extremely concerned about the lives and welfare of the hostages held in Gaza, and we continue to call for their unconditional release and for the ICRC to have access to them.
The plight of the hostages remains ICRC's utmost priority
Over the last year, the ICRC has:
- Continuously called for the hostages to be released
- Repeatedly demanded safe access to the people being held hostage
- Helped reunite 109 hostages with their families, and facilitated the release of 154 Palestinian detainees from Israel places of detention
- Met with families whose loved ones are being held hostage and set up a dedicated phone line for them
- Reminded authorities on all sides, and at the highest levels, of their obligations under international humanitarian law.
The ICRC continues to stand by, ready to facilitate and bring the remaining hostages back to their loved ones. But the situation is extremely difficult. The ICRC does not have information about the hostages' location.
Even if the location was known, the ICRC cannot force its way into where hostages are held. And they can only visit hostages if all parties agree.
The ICRC must also receive all necessary assurances that colleagues can carry out their work safely. We explain more about ICRC’s role here.
"The ICRC has performed this role many times before"
Rory Moylan, British Red Cross head of region for Middle East, North Africa and Europe, talks about the hostages still held in Gaza.
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Why is the Red Cross involved with the release of hostages?
The ICRC's specific role as a neutral intermediary in conflict is set out in the Geneva Conventions. This can include facilitating the release of people taken in conflict.
Our Movement’s fundamental principles of impartiality and neutrality are crucial in this work. We don’t take sides in a conflict.
In times like this, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s work is vital, using our neutrality and impartiality to help anyone, anywhere, who needs our support.
What exactly is ICRC's role?
The ICRC is not a negotiator. It is a neutral and impartial humanitarian organisation and does not take part in any negotiations or political deals between the sides.
Its role is to provide practical support to aid the release of hostages once release has been agreed by all sides.
The ICRC also also reminds parties of their obligations according to International Humanitarian Law.
And once an agreement between parties has been reached, the ICRC will stand ready to receive the hostages and takes them safely out of the Gaza Strip to a previously agreed location.
Why isn’t the ICRC speaking out for the hostages?
As a neutral humanitarian organisation, the ICRC may not be as outspoken as many would want them to be. But they care very much for the plight of the hostages and for the families who love them.
The ICRC has a long history of facilitating the release of hostages all over the world. They helped return the Chibok girls home to their families in Nigeria. They have done the same in places like Afghanistan, Colombia, and Peru. They are ready to do the same here.
Colleagues have been persistently advocating on behalf of the hostages held in Gaza, including directly with the parties holding them, and with actors who may have influence on the parties.
Decades of experience in hostage release operations has shown that advocating behind closed doors is the best way to make a difference. And the ICRC are – relentlessly.
Has the ICRC met with families of the hostages taken from Israel?
The ICRC has been persistently advocating on behalf of the hostages held in Gaza, including directly with the parties holding them, and with those who may have influence on the parties.
Since the start of the conflict, our ICRC colleagues have been in regular contact with the families and loved ones of those held hostage in Gaza.
The ICRC regularly communicates with parties to the conflict about the conditions of hostages, but the content of these communications is confidential, as is often the case in such situations. Confidentiality plays a key role in achieving a positive outcome.
Has the ICRC transferred hostages?
In 2023, the ICRC helped to facilitate the release of 109 hostages along with 154 Palestinian detainees – mostly taking place during the pause in fighting.
In its role as a neutral intermediary, the ICRC transferred hostages held in Gaza to Israeli authorities and on to their families. They also transferred Palestinian detainees to authorities in the West Bank, to be reunited with their families.
The parties to the conflict agreed to the details of the operation, including who would be released and when. The ICRC was not involved in the negotiations, and its role was to help facilitate the agreement as a neutral intermediary.
What has the ICRC said to those holding the hostages?
ICRC colleagues continue to speak with all relevant parties about the release of hostages, using the tools available: open dialogue and urging parties to implement their obligations under international humanitarian law.
The content of these discussions is confidential to achieve more positive outcomes. This behind-the-scenes work plays a key role in the safe return of hostages and has helped facilitate the release of four hostages so far.
What will happen next with the hostages?
Although some hostages have been reunited with their loved ones, there are still families who are worried sick about loved ones taken hostage.
They wake up hoping for positive news of their loved ones – the uncertainty they live with is unimaginable, and only deepens as time passes.
Together with the ICRC, we will continue to call for the immediate and unconditional release of those taken hostage. We won't stop until they are released and back with their families.