Red Cross calls for immediate release of hostages in Israel-Hamas war

Fabrizio Carboni, International Committee of the Red Cross regional director for the Near and Middle East, has stressed that the taking of hostages is prohibited under international humanitarian law. He, he said the ICRC will be working on the immediate release of anyone being held by militants amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

"We are now in contact with Hamas and Israeli officials as part of efforts on this issue. As a neutral intermediary, we stand ready to conduct humanitarian visits, facilitate communication between hostages and family membersm and to facilitate any eventual release," Carboni said.

Carboni lamented the "human misery" caused by the war.

"The human misery caused by this escalation is abhorrent, and I implore the sides to reduce the suffering of civilians," he said.

The ICRC families affected by the conflict in Gaza are having trouble accessing clean water and electricity.

"As Gaza loses power, hospitals lose power, putting newborns in incubators and elderly patients on oxygen at risk. Kidney dialysis stops, and X-rays can't be taken. Without electricity, hospitals risk turning into morgues," he added.