The International Committee of the Red Cross has urged the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli hostages in Gaza.
These hostages were captured on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas assault on Israel that resulted in 1,200 deaths and the seizure of 251 individuals.
In response, Israel initiated a counterattack in Gaza to retrieve the hostages. ICRC says the hostages must either be released to reunite with their families or their bodies released to be offered a dignified burial
“It has been 600 days since hostages were taken from Israel. Their endless nightmare and suffering in captivity must stop,” says the ICRC in a statement shared on LinkedIn.
The organisation further demands access to the Hamas captives held in Israeli custody.
On March 18, Israel ended a two-month truce and negotiations for hostage releases in Gaza in an attempt to regain control of the region to rescue 58 individuals held by Hamas for more than 600 days.
The conflict has resulted in 54,249 deaths, and since Israel resumed hostilities after the ceasefire, 3,986 people have lost their lives.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously vowed to conclude the conflict once captives are freed or Hamas is eliminated and its leaders expelled. Of the 58 hostages, at least 38 are said to have lost their lives, while at least 20 are reportedly still alive.
Journalists stranded
The ICRC asserts that obtaining humanitarian access continues to be a difficulty following Israel's blockade of Gaza, which has lasted for 19 months and 11 weeks, preventing the flow of food, water, fuel, cooking gas, medical supplies, and aid.
The organisation commits to ongoing efforts to meet essential humanitarian needs.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) highlights the dire living conditions faced by journalists covering Gaza, alongside the threats of starvation, disease, insecurity, and insufficient electricity and internet access.
The journalists’ rights organisation is urging the European Union and the 50 nations that are part of the Media Freedom Coalition to push Israel and Egypt to allow media access to Gaza. It also calls on Israel to guarantee that humanitarian aid is delivered to journalists who are currently in Gaza.
