Geneva, Switzerland – October 15, 2025 – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued a statement on Tuesday emphasizing the need for dignified management of human remains as it plays a central role in facilitating transfers under the newly implemented Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement in Gaza. This comes amid ongoing exchanges of hostages, detainees, and deceased individuals, marking a significant step in the U.S.-brokered plan to de-escalate the long-standing conflict.
In its official release, the ICRC highlighted its position as a neutral intermediary, activated once remains or individuals are handed over to its teams. The organization is supplying essential resources, including body bags, refrigerated vehicles, and additional personnel, to ensure that handling procedures respect human dignity and international humanitarian standards. "Our role is to act impartially and ensure that all processes adhere to principles of neutrality and humanity," the statement read. The ICRC stressed that proper management of the deceased is not merely logistical but a fundamental humanitarian imperative, allowing families on both sides to grieve and achieve closure.
The call extends beyond operations to a broader appeal: the ICRC urged all involved parties—Israel, Hamas, and mediating entities such as the United States, Egypt, and Qatar—to "faithfully implement" the ceasefire terms. This implementation, it argued, is crucial for returning remains to families without delay or politicization. "It is a pivotal task and an essential element for the full implementation of the agreement," the organization noted, underscoring that failures in this area could undermine trust in the broader peace process.
This development occurs against the backdrop of a ceasefire brokered last week under U.S. President Donald Trump's ambitious 20-point plan, announced during a high-profile summit in Washington, D.C. The plan, which Trump described as a "historic roadmap to peace," aims to end hostilities that have raged since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel and Israel's subsequent military operations in Gaza. Key components include the phased release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel, unrestricted humanitarian aid deliveries, and a comprehensive reconstruction framework for Gaza's devastated infrastructure.
The ceasefire took effect on October 8, 2025, following intense diplomatic negotiations involving Trump administration officials, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Hamas representatives via intermediaries. Trump's plan outlines 20 specific measures, starting with an immediate halt to airstrikes and ground incursions, followed by hostage-prisoner swaps over a 60-day period. Points 5 through 10 focus on aid: establishing secure corridors for food, medical supplies, and fuel into Gaza, with U.S.-overseen inspections to prevent misuse. Reconstruction efforts, detailed in points 11-15, involve international funding pledges exceeding $50 billion, coordinated by the United Nations and Arab states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The final points address long-term security guarantees, including demilitarization zones and potential Palestinian Authority involvement in Gaza governance.
Since the ceasefire's inception, the ICRC has been at the forefront of operationalizing these exchanges. Speaking at a United Nations press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, ICRC spokesperson Christian Cardon provided detailed updates on the day's activities. He described the latest round of transfers as proceeding "without major incidents" and notably "without ceremonies," emphasizing a focus on efficiency and neutrality to avoid escalating tensions.
According to Cardon, 20 living hostages—primarily Israeli civilians and soldiers captured during the 2023 incursions—were handed over to ICRC teams in Gaza. These individuals underwent initial medical checks by ICRC medics before being transferred across border points to Israeli authorities. Concurrently, Israeli forces released 1,808 Palestinian detainees from a major prison facility, believed to be Ofer Prison in the West Bank. The ICRC facilitated their handover, with detainees subsequently routed to their destinations: the majority to Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing, others to various locations in the West Bank, and a smaller cohort of about 50 to East Jerusalem for family reunifications.
Cardon clarified a minor discrepancy in initial reports, confirming that the total number of Palestinian detainees released on Tuesday amounted to 1,968—accounting for additional administrative releases processed overnight. This figure includes individuals convicted of security-related offenses as well as those held under administrative detention without formal charges, a practice long criticized by human rights groups.
In a somber parallel operation, four deceased hostages were transferred from Gaza to ICRC custody. These remains, identified through prior forensic coordination, were transported in refrigerated units to ensure preservation during the handover to Israeli officials. The ICRC's involvement in managing mortal remains adheres to International Humanitarian Law, particularly the Geneva Conventions, which mandate respectful treatment irrespective of affiliation.
Cardon also noted the resumption of ICRC activities in Gaza City, which had been temporarily suspended on October 1 due to security concerns amid sporadic clashes. "Our teams are back on the ground, distributing aid and monitoring compliance," he said, adding that over 200 ICRC staff are now deployed across Gaza, supported by local Palestinian Red Crescent partners.
Zooming out to the broader scope, the ICRC has been instrumental in similar operations since the conflict's escalation in October 2023. To date, it has facilitated the release of 172 Israeli hostages, many of whom were freed in earlier phased deals mediated by Qatar and Egypt. On the Palestinian side, 3,472 detainees have been released through ICRC channels, often involving complex logistics like bus convoys and aerial medical evacuations for the injured.
These exchanges are not without challenges. Families of hostages have expressed frustration over the pace, with groups like the Hostage Families Forum in Tel Aviv staging protests demanding faster verifications. Similarly, Palestinian advocates, including the Addameer Prisoner Support Association, have highlighted concerns over detainee health, reporting cases of malnutrition and untreated injuries from prolonged incarceration.
The ceasefire's success hinges on sustained international oversight. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from Jerusalem on Monday, praised the ICRC's role, stating, "Their neutrality is what makes this workable." Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty echoed this in Cairo, noting that mediators are monitoring for violations, with hotlines established for real-time reporting.
Humanitarian aid has begun flowing in tandem. On Tuesday, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported the entry of 150 trucks carrying food and medical supplies through Rafah, the first unrestricted convoy since the ceasefire. However, aid groups warn that Gaza's needs are immense: over 2 million displaced residents, a collapsed health system with only 10 of 36 hospitals partially functional, and widespread destruction estimated at $100 billion by World Bank assessments.
Reconstruction under Trump's plan involves phased tenders, starting with debris removal and temporary housing. International donors convened virtually on October 14, pledging initial funds, though European Union officials cautioned that full rebuilding could take a decade absent political resolutions like a two-state framework.
Despite progress, underlying tensions persist. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported intercepting a drone near the Gaza border on Tuesday, attributing it to rogue elements, while Hamas issued a statement via Al-Aqsa TV affirming commitment but warning against "provocations." Analysts from the International Crisis Group suggest that the prisoner-hostage swap ratio—roughly 10:1 in favor of Palestinians—reflects negotiated imbalances but could fuel domestic backlash in Israel, where public opinion polls show 60% support for the deal per a recent Haaretz survey.
The ICRC's involvement extends beyond transfers to broader advocacy. In its statement, it called for protections for medical facilities, noting that 500 health workers have been killed since 2023. The organization also facilitates family visits and tracing services, having reunited over 5,000 separated relatives.
As the 60-day initial phase unfolds, the world watches closely. President Trump's plan, if fully realized, could redefine Middle East dynamics, but experts like those at the Brookings Institution emphasize that without addressing root causes—settlements, blockades, and governance—the ceasefire risks fragility.
In Geneva, Cardon concluded the briefing on a note of cautious optimism: "Every handover is a step toward healing, but dignity must guide us." With thousands more releases slated, the ICRC's neutral bridge remains vital in this intricate web of conflict resolution.
