NEW DELHI: Hamas has indicated that it is ready to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to deliver food and medical aid to Israeli hostages held in Gaza. This comes after global outrage over recent video footage showing several hostages in extremely weak and malnourished conditions.
However, Hamas has made its cooperation conditional. The group has demanded that Israel agree to permanently open humanitarian corridors for Palestinians in Gaza before any aid is provided to the hostages. A Hamas official stated that humanitarian assistance must be mutual and ensure dignity for all affected people in the conflict.
The Israeli government has not officially responded to Hamas’ offer, but there is rising domestic and international pressure to act. Families of the hostages have been holding protests in Tel Aviv, urging the government to secure their loved ones' release and ensure their safety.
The United Nations, Red Cross, and other international agencies have welcomed any steps that would allow access to hostages, while also warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to ongoing conflict and blockades.
Backchannel talks are reportedly ongoing in Qatar and Egypt, aiming to reach an agreement that could allow Red Cross teams to visit and deliver aid to the hostages in the coming days.
This is a developing situation, and further updates are expected as talks progress.
