WHO excludes itself from talks on Gaza captive access, defers to ICRC

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
29 Nov 2023 21:54

The World Health Organization (WHO) is not engaging in talks to secure access to captives in Gaza, as per WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic.

A mini-bus carrying Israeli captives released by the Palestinian resistance arrives at a Medical Center in "Ramat Gan", Palestine, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 (AP)

The World Health Organization (WHO) is not participating in discussions to obtain access to captives in the Gaza Strip. According to WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic, negotiations on this matter are solely within the purview of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as he informed Sputnik on Wednesday.

"This question should go to ICRC," Jasarevic said when asked if the WHO is involved in discussions on access to captives for medical care.

When questioned whether this implies that the WHO is not involved in any discussions on this matter, the spokesman affirmed, saying "Correct."

Read more: 3 Israeli captives killed in Israeli airstrikes: Al Qassam Brigades

A four-day humanitarian truce went into effect in Gaza at 7 am (GMT+2) Friday after a deal was reached between the Israeli occupation and Hamas on the matter following an Israeli aggression that has persisted for 47 days, leaving tens of thousands injured, killed, and displaced.

So far, dozens of Israeli captives have been exchanged for Palestinian women and children since the ceasefire began, and nearly all of them were reported to be in good condition.

On Monday, the truce was extended for an additional two days, as per the request of the Qatari mediator.

Further extensions of the truce have been discussed as well, but chances are the regime might resume aggressions sooner than expected due to mounting pressure on part of the Israeli public.