Return of Itay Chen's Remains Amid Ceasefire Talks

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), founded in 1863 in Geneva, Switzerland, is a pioneering humanitarian organization dedicated to protecting and assisting victims of armed conflict and violence worldwide. It originated from the efforts of Henry Dunant, who, after witnessing the suffering of soldiers at the 1859 Battle of Solferino, advocated for the creation of neutral relief societies and the establishment of international protections for the wounded in war. This led to the first Geneva Convention in 1864, which established rules for the humane treatment of wounded soldiers and introduced the iconic red cross emblem[1][3][6]. The ICRC has played a crucial role in the development and promotion of international humanitarian law (IHL), urging governments and combatants to respect laws that safeguard victims of conflict. Beyond its legal influence, the ICRC operates globally, providing direct aid, medical care, and protection to civilians, prisoners of war, and those affected by conflict. Its neutrality and impartiality enable it to work in some of the most dangerous and politically sensitive environments, helping millions in war zones and regions of unrest[1][7]. Key achievements include its instrumental role in the drafting and continual updating of the Geneva Conventions, which remain the cornerstone of modern IHL. The ICRC’s efforts have been internationally recognized with Nobel Peace Prizes awarded in 1917, 1944, and shared in 1963 with the League of Red Cross Societies (now the IFRC), underscoring its global humanitarian impact[3][4][9]. Today, the ICRC remains headquartered in Geneva and functions as a neutral intermediary in armed conflicts, emphasizing humanitarian innovation and adapting to new challenges such as cyber warfare and urban conflicts. It continues to collaborate with national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, forming a vast network that combines field operations with advocacy for legal protections—a model of humanitarian response that intertwines ethical principles with practical action, making it highly relevant for business and technology sectors interested in global risk management

**Hamas** is a Sunni Islamist Palestinian nationalist organization that functions both as a political party and a militant group, primarily operating in the Gaza Strip, which it has governed since 2007. Founded in 1987 by Ahmed Yassin amid the First Intifada, Hamas emerged from the Muslim Brotherhood and initially had covert Israeli support as a counterweight to the secular Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)[3][1]. It combines political governance with an armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, committed to armed resistance against Israel, which it refuses to recognize as a legitimate state[1][3]. Hamas’s political rise culminated in a 2006 electoral victory in the Palestinian Legislative Council, campaigning on anti-corruption and resistance platforms. After violently seizing Gaza from the rival Fatah faction in 2007, Hamas has maintained de facto control there despite international isolation and blockades imposed by Israel and Egypt[3]. Its governance has been marked by repeated conflicts with Israel, including major wars in 2008–09, 2012, 2014, 2021, and the ongoing intense conflict triggered by Hamas’s surprise October 2023 attack killing nearly 1,200 Israelis and taking hostages[1][2][3]. Hamas benefits from regional support, especially from Iran, which supplies funding and weapons, as well as financial and political backing from Turkey and Qatar. These alliances form part of a broader "axis of resistance" against Israel, which includes groups like Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad[2]. Hamas also operates fundraising networks globally, sometimes using charities as fronts to support its military activities[4]. The group is designated a terrorist organization by many countries, including the United States, which has increased military aid to Israel following recent escalations[2][6]. Despite modifying its 1988 charter in 2017 to soften some language, Hamas continues to reject Israel’s legitimacy and pursues all forms of resistance[1]. Its enduring political