For over 590 days, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been unable to access hostages in Gaza to provide medical care. Despite this, ICRC Communications Coordinator Jacob Kurtzer told Digital that the organization has been prepared to offer medical assistance to the hostages “from day one,” even without being granted access.

“The ICRC has been unable to visit hostages to perform its mandated humanitarian work, including visits and delivering medicine,” Kurtzer stated. “This is not due to a lack of effort. Our colleagues are working daily to find a way to gain access.”

Since its founding over 160 years ago, the ICRC has maintained a reputation as a neutral body focused on aid and medical care. However, the organization has faced criticism during the Gaza war for not advocating more forcefully for hostage visits and for its volunteers’ involvement in Hamas-led hostage release ceremonies.

Regarding the ceremonies, Kurtzer explained to Digital that ICRC workers in Gaza have “very little ability to dictate the terms and the protocols.” He added that the ICRC believes these operations “must be done in dignity and should be done privately.”

“We saw things we didn’t like and conveyed our views directly through our bilateral and confidential dialogue,” Kurtzer said.

Despite pressure and obstacles, the ICRC is maintaining its mission. Kurtzer said the organization is ready to “jump at” any chance to reach the hostages and provide aid, but Hamas has not allowed it.

Kurtzer also addressed the ICRC’s stance on access to Palestinian detainees held by Israel.

While discussing the lack of access to hostages held in Gaza since the Oct. 7 attack, Kurtzer mentioned the ICRC’s desire to visit Palestinians held by Israel. Digital questioned whether the ICRC viewed the situations of hostages in Gaza and Palestinian detainees in Israel as equivalent. Kurtzer clarified his comments in a later statement to Digital.

“The ICRC recognizes the distinction between hostages and detainees under international humanitarian law (IHL). Hostages are captured or held under threat to pressure another party, which violates IHL,” he said. “We provide assistance and work to alleviate suffering on all sides of a conflict. Under IHL, the ICRC must be notified of and granted access to Palestinians in Israeli custody, and we continue to seek this access.”

Beyond the hostages, the ICRC is responsible for providing humanitarian assistance in Gaza, which Kurtzer described as urgently needed, calling the situation “catastrophic.”

Kurtzer noted the relief the recent ceasefire offered to those in Gaza.

“It provided hope to families on all sides, including families of the hostages and people living inside Gaza,” Kurtzer said. However, the resumption of military action has “contributed to a sense of despair.”

Since Kurtzer’s interview with Digital, Israel has modified its stance on humanitarian access, now permitting some aid trucks into Gaza. However, critics contend that the amount of aid remains insufficient.

U.K. Foreign Minister David Lammy announced on Tuesday that his country was suspending trade talks with Israel over its handling of the Gaza war. French President Emmanuel Macron also criticized Israel in a post on X. U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher described the aid being allowed in as a “.”.

“We believe the path forward is one where humanitarian assistance is allowed in, and we urgently appeal for the parties to find a better path forward because what we’re seeing now is just really very, very devastating,” Kurtzer told Digital.