Red Cross 'increasingly concerned' at conditions for freed hostages

Alsharq Tribune- The UK News

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned it is "increasingly concerned" about the conditions faced by Israeli hostages during their release, hours after three men were freed by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

"The ICRC is increasingly concerned about the conditions surrounding release operations," the Geneva-based group said. "We strongly urge all parties, including the mediators, to take responsibility to ensure that future releases are dignified and private."

The statement came after three hostages - named as Eli Sharabi, Or Levy, and Ohad Ben Ami - were paraded in front of a crowd in central Gaza by Hamas fighters before being released on Saturday.

The men were made to speak into a microphone on a stage before being handed over to the Red Cross. Other Israeli hostages have been forced to deal with packed crowds during their releases in recent weeks.

The ICRC statement is unusual as the organization is seen as neutral, rarely commenting on events. "The ICRC has consistently conveyed this message privately and publicly," the group added.