The Red Cross has defended itself against accusations of not doing enough to help hostages in Gaza or Palestinian detainees in Israel. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stated that the escalation of violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories has led to false and misleading information about its work. The ICRC has facilitated the transfer of Palestinians out of Israeli detention and hostages held in the Gaza Strip since Hamas's attack in Israel. However, the transfer of hostages to the ICRC has been criticized following chaotic scenes as masked fighters struggled to hold back a surging crowd. The ICRC reaffirmed its neutrality and stated that ensuring the safety and security of handover operations is the responsibility of the parties involved.