The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been unable to visit hostages in Gaza for over 590 days to offer them medical aid. Nevertheless, the Communications Coordinator, Jacob Kurtzer, informed Fox News Digital that the organization has been prepared to provide medical assistance to hostages “from day one,” although access has not been allowed.
“It’s well-known that the ICRC hasn’t been permitted to see hostages to execute our humanitarian duties, including visiting and delivering medical supplies,” Kurtzer explained to Fox News Digital. “I assure you it’s not for lack of effort, and I assure you that our teams here, at headquarters, and in other delegations are working tirelessly every day to secure access.”
Vehicles of the International Red Cross (ICRC) are seen in Deir el-Balah transporting US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander on May 12, 2025, after being released by Al-Qassam Brigades. The Palestinian militant group Hamas stated that its military wing handed over a US-Israeli captive, held since October 2023 in Gaza, on Monday, preceding a regional visit by US President Donald Trump. (EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images)
Beyond the hostages, ICRC is tasked with providing humanitarian assistance in Gaza, something Kurtzer said is urgently needed. He called the situation in the Strip “catastrophic.”
Kurtzer recalled the relief that the recent ceasefire provided those on the ground in Gaza.
“It provided hope. It provided hope for families on all sides. It provided hope to families of the hostages. It provided hope for people living inside Gaza,” Kurtzer said. However, the resumption of military action has “contributed to a sense of despair,” he said.
A truck loaded with humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip makes its way to the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Israel, Israel-Gaza border, Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
Since Kurtzer spoke with Fox News Digital, Israel has altered its position on humanitarian access, now allowing some aid trucks into Gaza. However, critics argue that the scale of assistance remains insufficient.
U.K. Foreign Minister David Lammy announced on Tuesday that his country was suspending trade talks with Israel over the handling of the war in Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned Israel in a post on X. Additionally, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said the aid being allowed in was a “drop in the ocean.”
“We really believe that the path forward is one where humanitarian assistance is allowed in and we urgently and we appeal over and over again for the parties themselves to find a better path forward because what we’re seeing now is just really very, very devastating,” Kurtzer told Fox News Digital.
