ISTANBUL

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on Wednesday criticized the “unbalanced focus” of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), saying it must act with “a clear voice” amid an Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip. 

“The Red Cross has no right to exist if it does not succeed in visiting the hostages being held captive by the Hamas,” Cohen said during a phone call with IRCR Director Miriana Spoljaric as cited by a statement issued by the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

“The Red Cross must act decisively and with a clear voice and utilize all leverage it has to push for a visit to the hostages as soon as possible,” he added.

Cohen raised concerns about the ICRC's “unbalanced focus” on Israel.

"The Red Cross's reputation is at stake if it cannot secure a visit to those being held captive by the Hamas,” he said.

Israel estimates that 240 hostages are being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip following its surprise attack into Israeli territory on Oct. 7.

The Israeli army has expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

More than 10,300 people have since been killed in the conflict, including at least 8,796 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.

Besides the large number of casualties and displacement, basic supplies are running low for the 2.3 million residents in Gaza due to the Israeli siege.