“Israeli civilian deaths in Gaza raid could be classified as war crimes
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights announced today (Tuesday) that the killing of civilians in Gaza during the Israeli operation to rescue four hostages, in addition to the detention of prisoners by Palestinian armed groups in densely populated areas, may amount to war crimes.
How the raid was carried out in a densely populated area raises serious questions about whether Israeli forces respected the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution – as stipulated in the laws of war,” said Jeremy Lawrence, spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Reuters.
Lawrence added: “The taking of hostages by Palestinian armed groups in densely populated areas exposes the lives of Palestinian civilians, as well as the lives of the hostages themselves, to an increased risk of hostilities.”
He continued: “All of these actions, by both parties, may amount to war crimes.” In response to this statement, the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations in Geneva accused the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of “defaming Israel.”
The mission considered that “the toll of this war in civilian casualties is primarily the result of Hamas’ deliberate strategy to maximize the harm caused to civilians.” Israel carried out the operation, which was accompanied by an air attack, in the heart of a residential neighborhood in the Nuseirat area in central Gaza, where Hamas held the hostages in two separate residential buildings. More than 270 Palestinian civilians were killed in the operation.
More importantly, Maslen said getting to the raid in such a crowded area raises questions as to whether the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution – enshrined under laws of war – were adhered to by the Israeli forces.
It also brings out the concern of our Office that many hostages are still detained by Palestinian armed groups, mainly composed of civilians, which is unlawful under the principle of international humanitarian law. In addition, the placement of hostages in such heavily inhabited locales, the armed groups who take hostages endanger not only the Palestinian civilians’ lives but the lives of the hostages themselves due to the escalated aggressive actions.
The mission of Israel to the UN in Geneva expressed satisfaction, citing Turk’s stand to have “finally realized that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields.” However, instead of extending an unequivocal condemnation of this repulsive tactic, he reverts to his vicious habit of besmirching Israel’s name, Just this time, for saving our hostages,” it continued.
Those who still provide safe harbor to Hamas terrorists, even the OHCHR (Turk’s Office), are equally guilty of causing pain and suffering to both the Palestinian and Israeli people’, it said. No reaction was recorded from the Hamas affiliate following the announcement of the sanction by Israel.
Turk welcomed this UN Security Council resolution passed on Monday to endorse a US-sponsored ceasefire that included Gaza and said that all the parties should allow the “unrestrained flow of humanitarian aid,” according to Laurence.
In the statement Hamas made on Tuesday, it stated for the UN resolution it supported and expressed the willingness to deal with the mediators to negotiate more indirectly on the implementation of the resolution.
