two new hostages have been released by Hamas, confirms the ICRC

Two new hostages were released by Hamas, the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) confirmed on Monday evening, October 23. They are two women, says the armed wing of Hamas in a press release, without specifying their nationality. They were released “for pressing humanitarian reasons”adds Hamas without specifying their nationality.

“It’s a glimmer of hope”reacted Monday evening, October 23, Frédéric Joli, spokesperson for the ICRC, three days after the transfer of the first two hostages. “Certainly there are four people in total who were released, but we must remain hopeful”he continues.

Hamas claims that this release took place thanks to the mediation of Qatar and Egypt. The ICRC states that it has “facilitated the release of two additional hostages by transporting them out of Gaza.” He negotiated directly with Hamas. Frédéric Joli recalls that the NGO has been present for many years in Gaza, so it is used to negotiating with the Palestinian authorities, notably Hamas.

The ICRC has an intermediary role

“A meeting point is given, the released people board an ICRC vehicle and then, throughout the transport, they are truly under the protection of the ICRC, I would even say of international humanitarian law”, explains Frédéric Joli. The vehicle then passes a front line, in this case the Egyptian border post of Rafah, “to finally be able to return these people to their loved ones”he explains.

“Our role as a neutral intermediary between the warring parties makes this work possible. We stand ready to visit the remaining hostages and facilitate any future release. We are pleased that these individuals will soon be reunited with their families and loved ones.”adds the ICRC in its press release.