Mirjana Spoljaric, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), recently addressed the ongoing criticism from Israeli officials regarding the organization's role in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Spoljaric acknowledged that earlier, more intense diplomatic pressure could have potentially resulted in the release of more hostages. However, she emphasized that the ICRC’s ability to operate is contingent upon the cooperation of the parties involved in the conflict.

Regarding the lack of direct visits to hostages held by Hamas, Spoljaric explained that the process of securing access is significantly more complex than the logistics of facilitating a release. She noted that the ICRC requires explicit agreements from all parties to conduct such visits safely and effectively. The organization has faced intense scrutiny from Israeli families and government officials who argue that the ICRC has not done enough to ensure the well-being of those held captive.

Furthermore, the discussion touched upon the legal obligations of all parties involved. Spoljaric pointed out that Israel maintains a legal obligation to grant the ICRC access to Palestinian prisoners held in its custody. This statement highlights the ICRC's stance on maintaining neutrality and applying international humanitarian law consistently across both sides of the conflict. While the ICRC maintains that it is working behind the scenes to negotiate access, the organization continues to face pressure to demonstrate more tangible results in the face of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.