Red Cross

Former hostage Omer Shem Tov recalls loneliness, hunger, abuse during Hamas captivity

“It bothers me when people tell me I’m a hero,” Shem Tov said of his release from captivity. “I don’t think I’m a hero. This was a reality that was forced on me."

Former Gaza hostage Omer Shem Tov at the Civilian October 7 memorial ceremony at Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv, marking two years since the October 7 massacre, October 7, 2025.
A replica of an Iranian air force F-4 Phantom fighter aircraft is displayed before traffic along a city square in Bandar Abbas in southern Iran on August 10, 2026.

Qatar denies holding Iranian military pilots captive, says search teams found remains of one

Myanmar's detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi shakes hands with Myanmar's Resident Representative and Head of Delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Arnaude de Baecque, in Naypyidaw, Myanmar August 3, 2026.

Detained Myanmar leader met by Red Cross for first contact since ousting of gov't in coup

Israeli soldiers stand guard during a ceremony marking Holocaust Remembrance Day at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, April 14, 2026

Israel to assume one-year chairmanship of Arlosen Archives, comprehensive WWII archive in 2027


Hamas forced Red Cross to take part in ceremony, threatening it would halt slain hostages' release

Ultimately, a Red Cross representative signed Hamas documents on a stage in Khan Yunis.

 A drone view shows Palestinians and terrorists gathering around Red Cross vehicles on the day Hamas hands over the bodies of deceased hostages Oded Lifschitz, Shiri Bibas and her two children Kfir and Ariel Bibas, seized during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack.

Silence of 'human rights' NGOs on Bibas babies is complicity with Hamas agenda - comment

Intentional or not, the human rights regime has facilitated the Hamas agenda and hindered those that seek to stop them.

 Pacifiers at Hostage square in Tel Aviv, on the day of the release of the bodies of four Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity, February 20, 2025.

Red Cross calls for private, dignified handover of hostages' bodies

"We must be clear: any degrading treatment during release operations is unacceptable," the ICRC said in a statement.

 Pictures of Shiri Bibas and her children Kfir and Ariel who are held hostage in Hamas captivity hang outside the protest tent calling for the release of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip, outside the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem, February 19, 2025.

Red Cross fails Jews with lack of hostage visits, Hamas condemnation - opinion

The Red Cross needs to provide answers and rectify its failures. Anything less would be a betrayal of the very mission they claim to uphold.

 A HAMAS TERRORIST speaks with a Red Cross member before the release of hostages, in Khan Yunis, this past Saturday. For nearly 500 days, the Red Cross has failed to visit or provide medical assistance to a single hostage in Gaza, in complete violation of their mission statement, says the writer.

Only the return of hostages can lead to rebuilding our society - opinion

Public pressure and relentless protests played a key role in bringing Israeli hostages home—proving that unity and action can make a difference.

 RELEASED HOSTAGE Ohad Ben Ami is reunited with his family at Sheba Medical Center, this past Saturday. Ohad, Eli, and Or returned home; no need to add their last names – we all know exactly who they are, where they were, and how they were kidnapped on that cursed Saturday, says the writer.

Red Cross demand Hamas give hostages 'dignified and private' release

Israel has previously complained to mediators about the way the release of Arbel Yehud and Gadi Moses was handled.

 Red Cross members look on at Hamas terrorists parading hostages in Gaza, February 8, 2025

Hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami freed from Hamas captivity in 'dire' condition

Hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami are set to be released on Saturday after spending 491 days in captivity.

 From left to right: Former hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami.

My Word: Mixed images of war and victory during the hostage deal

The hostages want to rebuild their lives and communities. The released terrorists want to continue to destroy everything Israel has built. 

 Palestinian terrorist surround hostage Arbel Yehoud, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7 2023 attack, on the day they hand her to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Yunis.

Letters to the Editor, February 3, 2025: Building new lives

Readers of The Jerusalem Post have their say.

 Letters

The chaos in Khan Yunis proves Hamas can't govern Gaza - editorial

Hamas's failure demonstrates how quickly years of diplomatic work can be jeopardized by chaos on the ground, which could derail future releases.

 Palestinian terrorist surround hostage Arbel Yehoud, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7 2023 attack, on the day they hand her to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Yunis.