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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) chief has stated that increased pressure for hostage releases at an earlier stage of the conflict could have resulted in more lives being saved. This comment addresses ongoing Israeli criticism of the organisation’s role in securing the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Spoljaric acknowledged that visiting hostages is significantly more complicated than securing their release, and defended the ICRC’s position that Israel is legally obligated to grant the organisation access to Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention facilities.

The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and international humanitarian organisations over their respective roles in negotiations and the treatment of detainees on both sides of the conflict.

Sources: Times of Israel