The Red Cross continues to play a vital and highly visible role in the ongoing exchanges between Israel and Hamas, facilitating the safe release and transport of hostages and detainees. The organization has overseen the movement of hundreds of people to freedom during negotiated truces while also conducting diplomatic work behind the scenes.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), its work extends beyond logistics. “When we transport those affected by armed conflict, it is never just about moving people from one place to another,” the organization stated. As a neutral and independent body, the Red Cross focuses on ensuring humanitarian protection for civilians affected by conflict.
Since the Gaza war began more than two years ago, the ICRC has coordinated exchanges during two major truces — one in November 2023 and another in January 2025. Despite its humanitarian role, the group has faced sharp criticism from both Israelis and Palestinians. Families of Israeli hostages accused the Red Cross of not visiting captives or delivering medical aid, while the organization said it had no access or information about their locations.
Similarly, Palestinians have criticized the ICRC for being unable to visit detainees held in Israel since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks. The Red Cross clarified that it was denied permission to access those facilities but had spoken with over 1,200 released detainees to document their treatment and conditions.
Defending its neutral stance, the Red Cross said that neutrality allows it to operate in sensitive environments. “It is the trust placed in us by both Israeli authorities and Hamas that enables us to safely transfer hostages and detainees,” said Julien Lerisson, head of the ICRC delegation in Israel and the occupied territories.
During the January cease-fire, the organization faced another challenge when Hamas staged ceremonies involving the released hostages. Despite global criticism, the ICRC chose to continue its operations to ensure the safety of those still in captivity.
Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, president of the ICRC, welcomed the latest cease-fire deal and urged all parties to uphold their commitments. “Release operations must be carried out safely and with dignity,” she emphasized. “Humanitarian assistance must resume urgently and reach everyone in need. The cease-fire must hold — lives depend on it.”
Through both visible humanitarian missions and confidential diplomacy, the Red Cross remains one of the few organizations trusted by both sides — serving as a lifeline in one of the world’s most complex conflicts.
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