The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is ready to offer its help to clarify the fate of people missing after the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip, according to its statement.

“Killing civilians and ill-treatment are prohibited by the Geneva Conventions. In addition, the Conventions require that the wounded and sick receive medical attention“, notes the president of the ICRC, Miriana Spoliarich, in the relevant statement issued.

“Detained people should be treated humanely and with dignity. Taking hostages is prohibited by international humanitarian law and hostages should be immediately released safe and sound“, he adds.

Hamas launched an attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip on Saturday, killing more than 900 people in the country and kidnapping around 150 people. Israel’s military reprisals have killed more than 700 people in Gaza, according to Palestinian authorities.

The ICRC states “ready to help reunite families and relatives, clarify the fate of missing persons and remove the injured” in coordination with the Palestinian Red Crescent and Magen David Adom, the equivalent of the Red Cross in Israel.

Spoliaric notes that “is overly concerned about the plight of families who have lost touch with a loved one, it is a devastating situation“.

“We are willing to do everything we can to help them,” he adds, underlining the neutrality of the organization he leads.

The ICRC has been visiting Israeli and Palestinian detention centers for decades, communicating with “all sides” to remind them of their obligations and responsibilities under international humanitarian law, the ICRC said in its statement.

“We are in constant communication with the parties to coordinate our access and humanitarian response“, he adds.

ICRC teams are working closely with Magen David Adom and the Palestinian Red Cross to help the injured, sick or those in need.

In addition, the ICRC sent medical supplies to a hospital in Gaza.