TEL AVIV, October 30, 2025 (WAFA) – European diplomats and ambassadors in Tel Aviv said on Thursday that Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz's decision to bar the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from visiting Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons was grave mistake and undermines international humanitarian law.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation quoted a European ambassador as saying, "The Red Cross is the only body legally authorized under the Geneva Conventions to monitor the conditions of prisoners in conflict situations."
He added, "The Red Cross is a neutral party specializing in monitoring the affairs of detainees, and it has extensive experience in this field."
The ambassador affirmed that "Israel has not allowed the Red Cross to visit detainees from Gaza for two years," questioning, "We don't know what has changed in Katz's decision, but it appears to be a continuation of the existing policy, and this is extremely worrying."
The broadcaster reported that other European and foreign diplomats in Tel Aviv conveyed similar concerns, warning that the decision could place Tel Aviv in further international isolation.
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