Red Cross Chief: Earlier Pressure Could Have Saved Hostages

Spoljaric confirmed that the ICRC never visited the Israeli hostages during their captivity, explaining that visiting hostages is a more complex issue than facilitating their release. She expressed regret, stating that prolonged negotiations complicated the mission and that pressure should have been applied sooner to prevent the loss of lives.

During the interview, Spoljaric defended the ICRC's neutrality as essential for its operations in war zones. She also asserted that Israel has a legal and moral obligation under the Geneva Conventions to grant the organization access to Palestinian detainees. Spoljaric noted that these issues were central to her difficult and direct meetings with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In Israel, the ICRC has faced severe criticism for failing to visit the hostages while continuing to visit Palestinian prisoners. Following Spoljaric's comments, families of the hostages expressed deep frustration, calling her admission of failure too late.