'Neutrality is not a sexy choice to make': Israel Red Cross chief regrets 'unsuccessful' attempts to assist hostages

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Dec 4, 2025

Yuval Arieh Nevo, Head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Israel, discusses the organization's challenging role amid the Gaza War. He acknowledges the Israeli public's anger, as many feel the ICRC failed to ensure proper treatment for hostages. Nevo reflects on the complexities of humanitarian operations, emphasizing the importance of neutrality for effective engagement while admitting past mistakes. He highlights the ICRC's efforts in handling hostage releases and the need to rebuild trust with local communities.

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INSIGHT

Confidential Dialogue Enables Access

The ICRC views confidentiality and bilateral dialogue as essential tools to operate in conflicts.
Yuval Arieh Nevo says public statements would jeopardize access and humanitarian operations.

INSIGHT

Public Condemnation Didn’t Secure Access

The ICRC publicly condemned hostage-taking but failed to secure access to living hostages in Gaza.
Nevo acknowledges that inability to inspect detainees harmed the organization's standing in Israel.

ADVICE

Prioritize Beneficiary Safety Over Messaging

Maintain trust by prioritizing beneficiary safety over public messaging.
Nevo stresses avoiding communications that could endanger people or jeopardize operations.

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In his first interview since his release, former hostage Alon Ohel called the International Committee of the Red Cross a “disgraceful organization.” His anger reflects a general bitterness among Israelis who believe ICRC failed to ensure the Israeli hostages’ received humanitarian treatment in captivity and their silence in the face of Hamas’ refusal to grant them access.

On the Haaretz Podcast, the head of ICRC’s Israel sub-delegation, Yuval Arie Nevo, admitted in an interview that the hostility on the part of the Israeli public was “totally understandable” given the group’s persistent but ultimately “unsuccessful” efforts to gain access to the hostages to assess their condition and offer medical and humanitarian assistance.

While acknowledging the failures, “we are very proud of our work,” said Nevo, referring to the implementation of the transfer of the hostages from Hamas to Israel under the cease-fire agreement in October, coordinated with the release and exchange of Palestinian prisoners – and ICRC’s role in returning the remains of slain hostages as well.

The “reputation crisis” the ICRC is suffering in Israel, he said, is due in large part to the constraints of the organization’s commitment to “impartiality” and the use of “bilateral confidential dialogue,” or refraining from taking sides in public statements. Without such a policy, he argued, ICRC would not be able to effectively conduct humanitarian operations and return prisoners and hostages anywhere in the world.

Still, “I know it is a source of great frustration in the Israeli public,” he said. “Neutrality is not a sexy choice to make.”

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