ICRC facilitates safe transfer of three hostages and 343 detainees, and calls for dignified conditions in ongoing release operations

The ICRC continues to raise its concerns about the way hostage and detainee releases are carried out. Despite repeatedly calling for all transfers to be carried out in a dignified and private manner, more must be done by all sides, including the mediators, to improve future transfers. 

The ceasefire agreement has so far allowed for six release operations to take place in which the ICRC has safely facilitated the return of 24 hostages and 985 detainees. It is crucial that the parties abide by the terms of the ceasefire agreement to ensure that more families can be reunited, and life-saving humanitarian work can continue. 

The ICRC remains committed to acting as a neutral humanitarian intermediary to support the implementation of this agreement. The ICRC reiterates its long-standing call for all hostages to be released in a dignified and safe manner, for more aid to enter Gaza, and for the ICRC to have access to all hostages and detainees.

Note to editors: The ICRC will not be providing any footage of released hostages or detainees during these operations. This is out of respect for the dignity of those released and the condition they may be in, as well as issues linked to their safety. We strongly recommend media outlets do the same. 

For more information about ICRC’s work in Israel and the occupied territories and our role during release operations, please visit here.