Update: Following the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on 10 October 2025, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has confirmed that they have facilitated the return of 20 Israeli hostages to Israeli authorities and 1,809 Palestinian detainees to Gaza and the West Bank. The ICRC also confirmed that they have transferred the remains of four deceased hostages to Israeli authorities.
In a statement, the ICRC called for the continued implementation of the agreement.
The ICRC has helped to facilitate previous hostage exchanges between Israel and Hamas.
On 7 October 2023, 1,200 people were killed in Israel and 251 taken hostage.
Throughout this time, colleagues from the ICRC worked around the clock to advocate on behalf of those being held and provide desperate families with information.
Since day one, the ICRC has called for the immediate and unconditional release of those being held. They have also called for access to the hostages so they can check on their wellbeing, deliver medicine, and provide contact with loved ones.
But the ICRC has not yet been granted access to the hostages, and this is a source of deep frustration and concern – for the families affected, and for our colleagues.
At the British Red Cross we remain extremely concerned about the lives and welfare of the hostages held in Gaza, and we continue to call for their unconditional release and for the ICRC to have access to them.
The plight of the hostages remains ICRC’s utmost priority
Over the last year, the ICRC has:
- Continuously called for the hostages to be released
- Repeatedly demanded safe access to the people being held hostage
- Helped reunite hostages with their families, and facilitated the release of Palestinian detainees from Israel places of detention
- Met with families whose loved ones are being held hostage and set up a dedicated phone line for them
- Reminded authorities on all sides, and at the highest levels, of their obligations under international humanitarian law
The ICRC continues to stand by, ready to facilitate and bring the remaining hostages back to their loved ones. But the situation is extremely difficult. The ICRC does not have information about the hostages’ location.
Even if the location was known, the ICRC cannot force its way into where hostages are held. And they can only visit hostages if all parties agree.
The ICRC must also receive all necessary assurances that colleagues can carry out their work safely. We explain more about ICRC’s role here.
