The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced that it is in communication with Hamas and Israel to try to negotiate the release of people kidnapped into Gaza over the weekend.
Since Hamas's unexpected onslaught on Israel on Saturday that left over 500 people dead, at least 150 Israelis and foreigners, including soldiers, have been held captive in Gaza.
"As a neutral intermediary, we stand ready to conduct humanitarian visits; facilitate communication between hostages and family members; and facilitate any eventual release," said Fabrizio Carboni, the International Committee of the Red Cross's regional director for the Near and Middle East.
Did you read this?
According to Carboni, hostage-taking is prohibited by international humanitarian law, and anyone detained must be freed promptly.
The ICRC urged both sides to reduce civilian suffering. In reaction to the strike on Saturday, Israel pounded Gaza and put a total siege on the impoverished region of over 2 million people, cutting off water, electricity, and fuel supplies.
Hamas has alleged that four detainees were killed in Israeli airstrikes and has vowed to kill more if civilian targets are struck without prior notice.
An official source informed AFP late Wednesday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also begun negotiations with Hamas to release the captives. ICRC's regional director for the Near and Middle East, Fabrizio Carboni, said that The human misery caused by this escalation is appalling.
He added that As electricity is cut off in Gaza, hospitals lose power, putting newborns in incubators and elderly patients on oxygen at risk. Kidney dialysis is halted, and X-rays are impossible.
Fabrizio Carboni said that Drinking water has become even more scarce and that No parent wants to be forced to give a thirsty child dirty water.
