Red Cross Chief Admits Earlier Pressure Could Have Saved Lives
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric, admitted that earlier pressure in negotiations could have saved Israeli hostages' lives. She stated that visiting hostages is complex and that prolonged negotiations complicated the mission. Spoljaric's comments follow widespread criticism in Israel of the ICRC's failure to access hostages while visiting Palestinian prisoners. Families of hostages expressed frustration, calling the admission too late.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric stated earlier pressure in negotiations could have saved Israeli hostages' lives.
- Spoljaric admitted the ICRC did not have access to visit Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
- She acknowledged that prolonged negotiations complicated the mission and potentially cost lives.
- The ICRC faced significant criticism in Israel for failing to visit hostages while visiting Palestinian prisoners.
- Families of hostages expressed deep frustration, calling Spoljaric's admission of failure too late.
The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric, acknowledged in a recent interview with The New York Times that earlier pressure in negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas could have saved lives. Spoljaric's comments come amid significant criticism in Israel against the ICRC during the Gaza war, with many accusing the organization of failing its basic humanitarian mandate.
During the interview, Spoljaric was asked directly if the ICRC had access to the hostages. She responded negatively, stating that "visiting hostages is a much more complex issue than their return." While she believed the hostages should have been released unconditionally from day one, she noted the operational realities the ICRC faces. She did not detail the specific steps the organization took to gain access or explain why these attempts were unsuccessful, focusing instead on the difficulties of abduction cases and the urgency of hostage repatriation.
Spoljaric further stated that the prolonged negotiations complicated the mission and that, in hindsight, lives could have been saved. "I personally believe that pressure should have been applied earlier in the negotiations. We could have saved more lives, many more lives," she said, emphasizing that the goal must always be the hostages' return.
Her remarks echo claims made by some Israeli officials, including Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs, who cited security officials suggesting an earlier release might have been possible. However, Fuchs indicated such conditions would have involved a full IDF withdrawal from Gaza and international guarantees against re-engagement in conflict.
The ICRC faced sharp criticism in Israel throughout the war for its inability to visit the Israeli hostages, while continuing to visit Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. This situation intensified after the High Court of Justice overturned an order by Minister Israel Katz that had prohibited the ICRC's visits to prisoners, despite Shin Bet security concerns.
Families of the hostages expressed deep frustration, having expected the ICRC to actively ensure their loved ones' basic rights, but they did not even receive confirmation of their health status. Spoljaric's admission is seen as a rare acknowledgment of the organization's failure, though for families who lost loved ones, it is a recognition that has come too late.
Mentioned
