Red Cross renews its call to be ‘granted access’ to hostages in Gaza after dire videos

Following a demand issued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a Red Cross official earlier today, the ICRC says that hostages being held in Gaza “must urgently receive the medical care and attention they require” and reiterates its called to be allowed access.

In a statement, the ICRC says that it is “appalled by the harrowing videos published over the last few days of Israeli hostages held in captivity in Gaza,” referencing propaganda clips released by Hamas showing emaciated hostages Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David.

“These videos are stark evidence of the life-threatening conditions in which the hostages are being held,” the statement adds. “We know families watching these videos are horrified and heartbroken by the conditions they see their loved ones held in.”

The hostages must be “afforded humane treatment and acceptable conditions. They must urgently receive the medical care and attention they require,” the ICRC adds.

“As long as hostages remain in captivity, we stand ready to fulfill our role as a neutral humanitarian intermediary, and to facilitate the release of all the hostages at any stage,” it adds.

“We also reiterate our call to be granted access to the hostages, so we can assess their condition, give them medical support and facilitate contact with their families,” the ICRC says.

The Red Cross has not been allowed any access to the hostages during 22 months of war, and has faced heavy criticism from Israel and Jewish groups over its failure to do so. The organization, which says it must maintain neutrality to operate in war zones, facilitated the release of Israeli and other foreign hostages in November 2023 and again in January-February 2025.