The first images of hostages being released are fraught with emotion – relief colliding with concern, anticipation tangled with anxiety. For families still waiting, the sight of others walking free is a moment of hope and an unbearable reminder of their own uncertainty – a pain that cannot be taken lightly.
In the tumult of the moment, the presence of a neutral intermediary like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) can be difficult to grasp. However, in a landscape defined by deep mistrust, the ICRC serves as a vital bridge between warring sides, entrusted with ensuring that these delicate exchanges take place at all.
We at the ICRC are proud to have facilitated the return of over 120 hostages, just as we remain committed to aiding civilians affected by the conflict. Our guiding mandate is to preserve the dignity and uphold the rights of all people whose lives are shattered by war. These release operations are more complex and dangerous than they seem, requiring specialized staff, including medical personnel. They demand delicate negotiations and precise coordination, all undertaken with the consent of the parties, in this case the government of Israel and Hamas.
The difficulties in hostage transfers
Hostage transfers should occur in a quiet, safe, and dignified manner. We have consistently conveyed this message to all involved – the mediators, the parties, and all those responsible. Unfortunately, the logistics, security arrangements, and public optics surrounding these transfers are beyond our control. While we insist on certain criteria and parameters, it is ultimately the responsibility of the parties to the conflict to determine the timing, location, and visibility of hostage releases. Our place is not on a stage; our role is strictly humanitarian: to facilitate transfers, provide medical care, and ensure that the hostages are safely reunited with their loved ones. But ultimately, when the choice is between imperfect conditions or getting them safely home, we choose the latter every time and will continue doing so.
The safe return of hostages is not achieved by public pressure but by quiet, persistent humanitarian efforts and by maintaining political neutrality. Neutrality does not mean indifference. It allows us to be present in some of the most dangerous and heartbreaking conflicts around the world, helping those in need. To equate neutrality with complicity is to misunderstand the realities of our humanitarian work.
In a time when speaking out is seen as moral courage, discretion is often misconstrued. However, our quiet, discreet diplomacy is often more effective than public statements, which may be dismissed as political posturing. While speaking out without strategic consideration may satisfy public demands, it can ultimately cost lives by jeopardizing access to those in need. Our actions prioritize results over rhetoric because saving lives matters more than making statements.
True solidarity demands diverse action, with each actor playing a role to achieve something greater.
We have also not remained silent in the ways that matter most. From day one, we have condemned hostage-taking as illegal and unacceptable, demanding immediate and unconditional release. We engage directly and confidentially with Hamas and all parties, urging them to uphold humanitarian principles and respect the laws of war.
However, since October 7, 2023, we have been denied access to the hostages held in Gaza. Our access is not automatic; it depends entirely on the consent of the detaining authorities. We continue to push for access through direct and confidential negotiations – including access to Palestinian detainees whom we have not been able to visit in 15 months. But when access is denied, the responsibility lies solely with the authorities – not with us.
For the families still waiting, the uncertainty is an unbearable agony. We do not take their pain lightly. Every day, we work relentlessly behind the scenes to bring answers, to bring hope – to bring their loved ones home.
We welcome feedback rooted in genuine humanitarian concern. But words and narratives must be shaped responsibly. Harmful information and disinformation have real consequences. It can endanger aid workers, disrupt humanitarian operations, and, most tragically, harm those suffering the most.
Our priority is saving lives – not politics, optics, or public acclaim. We will continue working relentlessly, even when our efforts go unseen. Because every life we can save, every family we can help reunite, and every moment of suffering we can ease is worth it.■
Julien Lerisson is head of delegation for the ICRC in Israel and the Occupied Territories. Prior to that, he was based in Geneva as deputy director of operations of the ICRC.