Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally asked the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to intervene on behalf of Israeli hostages captured by Hamas in Gaza, amid rising concerns.
that the current conflict may escalate into a larger regional war. As military actions persist and airstrikes ramp up, hostage families are becoming more outspoken, urging the Israeli authorities to focus on diplomatic solutions instead of escalating conflict.
The appeal to the Red Cross arises as demands increase both at home and abroad for a humanitarian advance. Netanyahu has promised to return the hostages home “by any means necessary,” but families contend that a military-first strategy endangers their loved ones and may escalate tensions beyond Gaza. Numerous family members of the detainees have established advocacy organizations and held protests outside government buildings, insisting on transparency and enhanced emphasis on negotiation.
The Red Cross, despite constraints on its operations in Gaza, has indicated it is utilizing every possible avenue to gain access to the hostages and evaluate their condition. Nonetheless, Hamas has shown minimal cooperation, declining to disclose information regarding the condition or precise whereabouts of the captives. This absence of information has intensified distress among families and hindered attempts by mediators, such as Egypt and Qatar, who have sought to negotiate a ceasefire or prisoner swap
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, initiated following Hamas’s lethal invasion across the border, has now progressed into a more intense phase.Netanyahu’s administration argues that using military power is essential to weaken Hamas and secure the hostages’ freedom.
Critics argue that the approach is resulting in increasing civilian deaths and poses a threat of involving Hezbollah and other regional players, particularly as tensions rise along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.
Within Israel, political divides are increasingly evident. While hardliners back Netanyahu’s strong position, moderates and human rights supporters are calling for a shift in priorities—one that prioritizes the lives of hostages and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza in policymaking. The relatives of those taken captive express that time is limited and worry that ongoing attacks might jeopardize the individuals the government asserts it aims to save.
Netanyahu’s request to the Red Cross is viewed by some as a way to demonstrate empathy and global collaboration, despite the overarching strategy remaining heavily focused on military operations.For the families of the captives, however, symbolism by itself is inadequate. They are advocating for a genuine change in emphasis—from escalating conflict to immediate diplomacy—before the opportunity for a peaceful solution vanishes completely.
As the struggle continues, the destiny of the hostages has turned into a moral and political benchmark for Netanyahu’s governance, a factor that could shape both the war’s resolution and his legacy.
