The Red Cross helpers in Gaza are preparing themselves in view of the soon expected Release of hostages from the hands of the Islamist Hamas on one special use before. A spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) emphasized that the current operation is not comparable to previous hostage releases because it lasted around 15 months.
“We are aware of the challenges that may exist,” it said, also with regard to the doctors’ tasks. Preparation for such operations includes the logistics of transport, the distribution of relief supplies, detailed security planning and the preparation of the helpers who will take in the released people, according to the ICRC.
Hamas is expected to hand over the three hostages to the ICRC, which will then take them to an army special unit in the Gaza Strip. In return, around 90 Palestinians from Israeli custody are to be released in this first phase. According to an insider, an ICRC team is already on its way to handing over the first hostages to Hamas. This is what a person involved in the planning told Reuters.
