Red Cross says any degrading treatment during hostage release operations between Israel, Hamas 'unacceptable'

GENEVA

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said Wednesday that any degrading treatment during hostage release operations between Israel and Hamas is "unacceptable."

"As we prepare for the next release operation, we once again call for all releases to be conducted in a private and dignified manner, including when they tragically involve the deceased," the ICRC said in a statement.

ICRC stressed it would continue to fulfill the role assigned to the committee by the parties.

"This work is a fundamental humanitarian duty. We must be clear: any degrading treatment during release operations is unacceptable," it said.

"We have repeatedly urged both publicly and privately to those with the responsibility and the authority over these releases, and those with influence on them, to ensure that they are conducted with privacy, respect, and care," it said. "This must happen in future release operations."​​​​​​​