Gaza civilian killings during Israel’s freeing of hostages could be war crimes, UN says
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At least 274 Palestinians died when Israeli troops stormed the Nuseirat refugee camp on June 8 to free four hostages.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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GENEVA – The United Nations’ human rights office said on June 11 the killings of civilians in Gaza during Israel’s operation to release four hostages, as well as armed groups’ holding of captives in densely populated areas, could amount to war crimes.
Israel said the operation, accompanied by an air assault, took place on June 8
The operation killed more than 270 Palestinians, according to Gazan health officials.
“The manner in which the raid was conducted in such a densely populated area seriously calls into question whether the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution – as set out under the laws of war – were respected by the Israeli forces,” Mr Jeremy Laurence, spokesman for the UN human rights office, said.
Mr Laurence added that the holding of hostages in such densely populated areas by armed groups was “putting the lives of Palestinian civilians, as well as the hostages themselves, at added risk from the hostilities”.
“All these actions, by both parties, may amount to war crimes,” he said.
In response to the statement, Israel’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva accused the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of “slandering Israel”.
“The toll of this war on civilians is first and foremost the product of Hamas’ deliberate strategy to maximise civilian harm,” the mission said.
The conflict in Gaza was triggered when Hamas fighters charged into Israel on Oct 7
Israel’s subsequent bombardment and invasion of Gaza has killed more than 37,000 people.
Gunmen took around 250 hostages back to Gaza on Oct 7, more than 100 of whom were released in exchange for about 240 Palestinians held in Israeli jails during a week-long truce in November.
There are 116 hostages left in the coastal enclave, according to Israeli tallies, including at least 40 whom the Israeli authorities have declared dead in absentia. REUTERS
