Humanitarian Aid State-Ready to Assist Captives in Gaza Following Israel-Hamas Agreement
In the besieged Gaza Strip, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is urging for a renewed agreement between Israel and Hamas to allow the unhindered flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians. The call comes as the humanitarian situation in the territory remains dire, with severe access restrictions imposed by Israel on aid deliveries.
The ICRC has been prepared to deliver medicines, food, and family messages to hostages in Gaza since Sunday, but the ongoing conflict has prevented a concrete agreement from being reached. The most recent ceasefire deal, reached in January 2025, included provisions for a six-week ceasefire and the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, the ceasefire was broken in March 2025, disrupting the agreed terms, including humanitarian access.
Since then, the United Nations and humanitarian agencies, including the ICRC, have reported ongoing difficulties in delivering aid due to these restrictions and insecurity on the ground, leading to significant delays, partial deliveries, or aid being lost to looting. International calls, including from UN officials and multiple governments, continue urging Israel to immediately lift restrictions and allow humanitarian organizations safe and effective access.
The ICRC is willing to intensify the safe delivery of vital aid to civilians in Gaza, but an agreement between Israel and Hamas is necessary for this to happen. The al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, have agreed to allow the Red Cross to provide assistance to the hostages.
The ICRC has declared that civilians in Gaza need to live with dignity, and only a lasting agreement between the parties can end the suffering of hostages and their families, as well as millions of people in Gaza struggling to obtain essentials for survival. The organisation has warned that the 'window' for saving lives in Gaza is closing.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has also asked the ICRC to act immediately to provide food and medical assistance to Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The condition for this assistance is for Israel to establish regular and permanent humanitarian corridors at the border crossings for the entry of food and medicine, and to stop bombings.
As of August 2025, there is no public indication of a current active agreement specifically between Israel and Hamas for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza by the ICRC. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, but no new or resumed agreement on this matter has been reported.
References:
[1] The New York Times. (2025). Israel and Hamas Trade Fire After Ceasefire Breaks Down. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-ceasefire-breaking.html
[2] BBC News. (2025). Gaza Ceasefire: Israel and Hamas Agree to Six-Week Truce. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-56828460
[3] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. (2025). Humanitarian Situation in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-situation-gaza
[4] Al Jazeera. (2025). Gaza Crisis: UN Calls for Israel to Lift Aid Restrictions. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/1/gaza-crisis-un-calls-for-israel-to-lift-aid-restrictions
[5] Middle East Eye. (2025). Israel Accused of Blocking Aid to Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-accused-blocking-aid-gaza-un-calls-lift-restrictions
- What is the current state of a renewed agreement between Israel and Hamas for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)? As of August 2025, there is no public indication of a current active agreement specifically between Israel and Hamas for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza by the ICRC.
- In the realm of politics and international relations, diplomatic efforts are ongoing, but no new or resumed agreement on this matter has been reported.
- The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with severe access restrictions imposed by Israel on aid deliveries, has sparked general-news headlines and calls from UN officials and multiple governments for Israel to immediately lift restrictions and allow humanitarian organizations safe and effective access. This situation underscores the need for change in health-and-wellness, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice sectors.
