UN Calls Palestinian Killings in Gaza Rescue Mission 'War Crimes

The United Nations human rights agency has stated that the killings of Palestinians and the detention of hostages by Israel and Hamas in a densely populated area in Gaza under the pretext of rescuing four hostages are considered war crimes. The agency made these comments on Tuesday, as reported by Reuters.

According to the UN, the killings of Palestinians and the detention of hostages are considered war crimes.

Israel claims that it launched an airstrike on a refugee camp in Nuseirat in central Gaza on Saturday to rescue the four hostages. According to health workers in Gaza, more than 270 Palestinians have been killed in the operation.

Jeremy Laurence, the spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, stated, "The way Israel has conducted its campaign in such a densely populated area violates the principles of 'distinction', 'proportionality', and 'precaution' according to the laws of war."

Laurence further added that on the other hand, Palestinian armed groups holding Israeli hostages in such densely populated areas have put the lives of civilians at risk and endangered the lives of the hostages.

He mentioned that both the Israeli military and Hamas militants are complicit in these actions.

In response to the UN's statement, the UN Mission in Geneva has accused Israel, issuing a call to Israel from the UN Human Rights High Commissioner for compliance.

Since the ceasefire on October 7th, over 37,000 Palestinians have been killed in the relentless Israeli attacks in Gaza.