Red Cross Chief: Earlier Pressure Could Have Saved Hostages

The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric, stated that stronger pressure should have been applied earlier in negotiations for the release of hostages, suggesting that more lives could have been saved. In an interview with The New York Times, Spoljaric noted that the longer time passes in abduction cases like those on October 7, the more complex the mission becomes.

When asked about the ICRC's access to Israeli hostages, Spoljaric explained that visiting hostages is more complicated than securing their release. She believes hostages should have been returned unconditionally from day one, but acknowledged the operational realities require using available tools. Spoljaric mentioned meeting twice with Hamas leaders in Qatar, including Ismail Haniyeh, and also with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing the conversations as difficult and candid.

Spoljaric also addressed the destruction and loss of life in Gaza, calling the events a violation of legal, moral, and humanitarian standards for both Palestinians and Israelis. She criticized the perception that basic human dignity is met if food is available, highlighting a double standard in assessing humanitarian needs in different regions.

Furthermore, Spoljaric protested Israel's denial of ICRC access to Palestinian prisoners, a practice that had been ongoing for decades. She explained that while access to prisons during wartime is challenging, it is a legal and moral obligation under the Geneva Conventions. Spoljaric emphasized that prisoners are not inherently criminals and that torture is always forbidden, a point the ICRC discusses with those denying access. She stressed the importance of maintaining contact with families and knowing the well-being of loved ones, citing a case in Iraq where detainees suffered most from a lack of information.