Red Cross Chief: More Lives Could Have Been Saved
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric, stated that more lives could have been saved if earlier pressure had been applied in negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages. In an interview with The New York Times, she acknowledged that the ICRC's inability to visit hostages was complex. Spoljaric also defended the organization's neutrality as crucial for its operations and access, even as she highlighted Israel's legal obligation under the Geneva Conventions to allow access to Palestinian detainees.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric believes more lives could have been saved with earlier negotiation pressure.
- Spoljaric stated that the goal must always be the return of hostages from Gaza.
- She described meetings with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and PM Benjamin Netanyahu as difficult.
- Spoljaric defended the ICRC's neutrality as essential for operating in war zones.
- She affirmed Israel's legal obligation under the Geneva Conventions to grant ICRC access to detainees.
The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric, has criticized the negotiation process for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. In an interview with The New York Times, Spoljaric stated that earlier pressure in negotiations could have prevented loss of life, emphasizing that the goal must always be the return of hostages. She believes that pressure should have been applied sooner, suggesting that "many more lives could have been saved."
When questioned about the ICRC's inability to visit hostages and ensure their proper treatment, Spoljaric did not detail specific actions taken. She explained that visiting hostages is more complex than their release, adding that in her opinion, they should have been unconditionally released on the first day, but acknowledging the operational realities.
Spoljaric mentioned that these issues were central to her "difficult, frank, and direct" meetings in Qatar with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Addressing accusations that the ICRC hides behind neutrality to mask inaction amid human suffering, Spoljaric argued that this principle is essential for operating in war zones. She asserted that without neutrality, the organization could not have facilitated the return of hostages from Gaza, as trust is paramount for such complex operations.
Regarding the denial of ICRC access to Palestinian detainees held in Israel since October 7, Spoljaric noted that countries often restrict access to detention facilities during wartime for security reasons. However, she stressed that regardless of the reason, under the Geneva Conventions, Israel has a legal and moral obligation to grant the ICRC access.
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