The scenes surrounding the returns of Hamas-held hostages, or their remains, in Gaza have been disturbing and dehumanizing. The International Committee of the Red Cross remains concerned about the exploitation of hostages in these handovers, which we’ve been entrusted by Israel to facilitate eight times this year.

We have been unequivocal: Every release of hostages from Gaza, whether of the living or the deceased, must be conducted with dignity and privacy. We have communicated these expectations frequently and clearly, both privately and publicly.

And yet, each time our team members arrive on-site to facilitate these operations, they face new objectionable conditions we didn’t agree to. We push back, but the choice is clear: suspend the operation (in which case the hostages, or their remains, stay in Gaza) or safely complete the mission.

Our teams have chosen to fulfill our mission in every case — a vital humanitarian duty under a fragile........

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