The Red Cross president recently traveled to Qatar to meet with Ismaïl Haniyeh, the head of the Hamas political bureau, in order to advance humanitarian issues related to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza. This visit took place as Qatar continues to mediate for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, with hopes for an agreement on the horizon.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant loss of life and hostages being taken in the Gaza Strip, leading to retaliatory attacks from Israel. The Red Cross is actively working to address the humanitarian impact of this conflict and ensure the safety and well-being of those affected. This visit is part of a broader effort by the organization to hold direct discussions with all parties involved in the conflict in order to improve respect for international humanitarian law.
During their meeting, the president of the Red Cross and Haniyeh discussed various humanitarian issues related to the armed conflict, including access to medical care and basic necessities for those affected by the conflict. The Red Cross is also seeking permission to visit the hostages in Gaza to ensure their well-being and provide necessary medical care.
The visit marks an important step towards finding a resolution to this longstanding conflict, as both sides continue to work towards improving respect for international humanitarian law and ensuring that those affected by this conflict are able to live safe and healthy lives.