Written question asked by Lord Turnberg (Labour) on Wednesday, 30 April 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 May 2025. It was answered by Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour) on Friday, 30 May 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Hamas: Hostage Taking

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether Israeli hostages held by Hamas have access to the Red Cross.

Answer: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has consistently said that it has not been permitted access to hostages. The ICRC has been facilitating the handover of hostages and the delivery of aid into Gaza. The UK reaffirms our support for the ICRC as the only humanitarian actor with the experience, capability, independence and mandate to carry out their important responsibilities. We have reiterated our call for the ICRC to be granted unfettered and immediate access to the hostages in Gaza and Palestinian detainees to deliver on their independent visiting role, as enshrined within the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

Secondary information