In a significant development on Monday, October 13, militant group Hamas released the first batch of seven hostages, Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, and Guy Gilboa-Dallal. The Red Cross facilitated the handover, transferring the hostages to Israeli forces in Northern Gaza. This release coincides with the implementation of the U.S. President Donald Trump-proposed Gaza Peace Plan.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), commonly known as the Red Cross, is a neutral and independent humanitarian organisation dedicated to protecting and assisting victims of war and armed conflict. In this exchange, the Red Cross played a crucial role as a humanitarian intermediary between Israel and Hamas.
Its presence safeguarded the operation from political influence or coercion, providing both the hostages and the parties involved with confidence in the fairness and safety of the exchange.
The organisation also provides medical care, psychological support, and ongoing monitoring to address the immediate and long-term needs of those affected by the conflict.
Acting as a neutral party, the Red Cross ensured that the transfer of hostages occurred safely and in accordance with international humanitarian law. Its teams verified the hostages’ identities, monitored their condition, and oversaw the handover to Israeli authorities. The organisation’s involvement guarantees that such operations remain humanitarian in nature, free from political influence or coercion.
Following the transfer, the Red Cross also facilitated immediate medical and psychological assessments for the released individuals, ensuring their wellbeing after prolonged captivity.
Through its impartial mediation and humanitarian commitment, the Red Cross continues to serve as a trusted global entity in navigating some of the world’s most sensitive and high-stakes conflict situations.
