- ICRC expresses ‘grave concern’ over hostage conditions in Gaza.
- Hostage-prisoner swaps continue under the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement.
- Released hostages reveal shocking details of their captivity, including food shortages and mistreatment.
- ICRC calls for dignified and safe transfer operations.
Red Cross ‘Very Concerned’ About Hostage Welfare
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), playing a key role in the ongoing hostage-prisoner swaps between Israel and Hamas, has voiced significant concerns about the condition of the remaining hostages in Gaza. According to their statement on X, “The latest release operations reinforce the urgent need for ICRC access to those held hostage. We remain very concerned about the conditions of the hostages.”
The ICRC emphasizes that all release and transfer operations must be conducted “in a dignified and safe manner” and pledges to continue efforts until every hostage is freed.
Disturbing Details Emerge from Released Hostages
The recent hostage exchanges have revealed troubling accounts of the captives’ experiences. During the fifth exchange, Hamas reportedly made three hostages thank their captors publicly in front of a crowd of Palestinians. The ICRC’s official website provides further details on their humanitarian work in the region.
The families and the global community were shocked by the emaciated appearance of the hostages. This prompted the ICRC to appeal to Hamas to ensure future swaps are more private and dignified.
Horror Stories From Captivity
In an interview with Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot, the mother of Liri Albag, a released hostage, shared harrowing details of her daughter’s ordeal. Liri reported going days without food and sometimes being fed animal feed. She also described the lack of hygiene and the psychological torment inflicted by her captors, who showed her videos of male hostages being beaten.
“Liri told us right at the beginning, ‘I came out of hell and we went through hell there, but the boys, the soldiers, are going through more than us,’” Shira Albag recounted in another interview.
Ceasefire and Hostage Exchanges: A Timeline
Since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on January 19, there have been five hostage-prisoner swaps. Militants have released 16 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
The Call for Dignity and Safety
The ICRC’s renewed plea underscores the urgent need for humanitarian access to the remaining hostages. The organization’s commitment to ensuring dignified and safe transfer operations remains steadfast as efforts continue to secure the release of all captives.
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