UN Criticizes Israeli Military and Hamas Following Hostage Rescue Operation
"The UN Human Rights Office spokesperson, Jeremy Laurence, expressed his horror at how Israeli forces' actions in Nuseirat led to harming the civilian population during their attempt to free hosted prisoners over the weekend," he stated. The UN also voiced their concern that Palestinian armed groups continue to hold many hostages, most of whom are civilians.
In a rescue attempt by the Israelis in Nuseirat, in the central part of the Gaza Strip, they managed to release four Israeli hostages who were captives of Hamas. The Islamist Palestinian group blamed Israel for the deaths of over 270 people in the refugee camp during the operation, numbers that couldn't be confirmed independently.
The UN representative acknowledged an issue with Israeli forces' actions in a densely populated area, questioning if they followed the principles of war like discrimination, proportionality, and caution.
"It's illegal under international law to keep people as hostages," Laurence said. Detaining people in densely populated zones potentially endangers the lives of the hostages and the civilians in the surrounding area as well.
Gaza Strip's conflict began on October 7 with a record-breaking attack from Hamas on Israel, killing 1194 people and abducting 251 more, according to Israel's figures. Currently, 116 hostages are still being held by Hamas, 41 of whom are reportedly deceased.
Since then, Israel has been running a major military operation in the Gaza Strip, with figures from the Hamas-controlled health authority, unverifiable, indicating more than 37,100 people killed.
The UN Security Council voted for a US-proposed ceasefire resolution in the Gaza War on Monday, with 14 of the 15 members' approval. Russia chose not to vote.
The resolution supports a peace plan proposed by President Biden on May 3rd for an "immediate and complete" truce between Israel and Hamas. The plan involves the removal of Israeli troops from populated areas of Gaza Strip and the exchange of Hamas hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Initially, a six-week truce is suggested, with potential extension for peace talks.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, expressed hope for peace as the US voted for it. Israel has agreed to the deal; however, the ceasefire could only end 'if Hamas followed suit,' Thomas-Greenfield noted.
The Hamas is willing to engage in indirect negotiations with mediators to discuss implementing the proposed peace plan. However, they've always sought an agreement that ensures a long-lasting end to the war.
The US, Egypt, and Qatar have attempted to negotiate a deal between Israel and Hamas for months, without success. The plan was supported by Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a Middle East visit in recent times. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his support for the Biden administration's idea in a meeting with Blinken on Tuesday in Tel Aviv.
Despite numerous efforts, Israel's parliament has recently passed a controversial law demanding ultra-Orthodox Jews to serve in the military. The ultra-Orthodox Jews have been exempt from that requirement until now, enabling them to focus on religious studies. In Israel, military service is mandatory for both men and women.
The new law calls for a phased and limited increase of ultra-Orthodox Jewish enlistment in military services. This follows Israel's previous stance of making military service mandatory for most of its residents.
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- The UN Security Council, including the USA, condemned the actions of both Israeli forces and Hamas during the hostage rescue operation in Nuseirat over the weekend.
- The Army of Islam, also known as Harakat el-Mukawame el-Islamije, has been accused by some of providing support to Hamas in their fight against Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.
- Following the UN Security Council's vote for a ceasefire resolution, Joe Biden urged both Israel and Hamas to commit to the peace plan, which includes the liberation of hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from populated areas in the Gaza Strip.
- The weekend rescue operation in Nuseirat led to the death of over 270 people, according to claims by Hamas, a number that is yet to be independently confirmed.
- The UN criticized the use of force by both Israeli forces and Hamas in the densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip, highlighting the need for caution, proportionality, and discrimination in military actions.
- The peace plan proposed by President Biden involves the exchange of Hamas hostages for Palestinian prisoners, with the ultimate goal of ensuring a long-lasting end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
- The UN Security Council resolution supporting the ceasefire was met with criticism from some Palestinian groups, including Hamas, who argued that the resolution fails to address the underlying issues leading to the conflict.
- After the passage of the controversial law mandating military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel, tensions between the religious community and the government have escalated, with some expressing concerns about religious freedom and cultural preservation.
