The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said Israeli criticism of the organisation is “a problem for the staff” that “can also endanger the hostages” held in Gaza, AFP reports.

“The situation is extremely complex. We cannot simply decide to go out and visit the hostages,” Spoljaric told Swiss news agency Keystone-ATS.

The security of ICRC staff and their ability to travel could be compromised by such criticisms, which “can also endanger the hostages beyond what is already the case”, she added.

She voiced confidence that ICRC’s interlocutors had understood that message, stressing that there is sometimes a difference between what was said in public and the discussions taking place in private.

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