The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) journeyed to Qatar on Monday to address pressing humanitarian concerns arising from the conflict in Israel and Gaza. President Mirjana Spoljaric engaged in discussions with Ismaël Haniyeh, Chair of Hamas’ Political Bureau, and separately with Qatari authorities.
The core focus of the ICRC remains the urgent safeguarding of all victims caught in the conflict and the amelioration of the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The ICRC’s dedicated team in Gaza has been tirelessly providing life-saving assistance, including surgical operations. However, the organization emphasizes the critical need for sustained and secure humanitarian access to further intensify their efforts.
One of the paramount issues highlighted by the ICRC is the immediate release of hostages. They stress the importance of their teams being allowed to visit hostages to ensure their well-being, deliver crucial medications, and facilitate communication with their families. The ICRC recognizes the necessity of agreements that permit their safe operations, as they cannot forcibly enter locations or determine the whereabouts of hostages.
In their role as a neutral humanitarian intermediary, the ICRC refrains from engaging in negotiations leading to hostage releases. However, they stand prepared to facilitate any agreements that conflicting parties may reach. President Spoljaric’s visit to Qatar is an integral part of the ICRC’s direct engagement with all sides involved, aiming to enhance compliance with international humanitarian law. In recent weeks, she has also met with families of hostages in Gaza and held discussions with senior Israeli and Palestinian leaders. The overarching objective is to foster an environment conducive to the respect of humanitarian principles amid the ongoing conflict.