BRUSSELS

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called Tuesday on Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas to reach an agreement that would enable the delivery of humanitarian assistance and facilitate contact with hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, the organization said it is ready to provide medicine, food and messages from families to the hostages but emphasized that such efforts require a prior agreement between the concerned parties.

"Only a lasting agreement between the parties can end the suffering endured by hostages and their families as well as the millions in Gaza who are struggling to secure the essentials for survival," it said.

ICRC teams on the ground are prepared to scale up the delivery of life-saving aid across Gaza, the statement added, stressing the urgent need for a "rapid and unhindered flow" of assistance.

"With acute food shortages worsening by the day, civilians in Gaza must have immediate and sustained access to food along with safe water, medical and hygiene supplies, and other essentials needed to survive and live in dignity," the organization said.

As part of efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and ensure respect for international humanitarian law, ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric spoke on Monday with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, the organization confirmed.

"The window for saving lives in Gaza is closing. The time to act is now," it warned.

The Israeli army, rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 61,000 Palestinians, almost half of them women and children.

Israel’s military campaign has devastated the enclave and brought it to the verge of famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.