UN Accusations, Cratering Support for Israel, and Worldwide Catastrophes

Tipping Point Quick Hits (06.13.24)

UN: “Shock” at Israel’s Hostage Rescue and Accusations of War Crimes

After Israel’s dramatic hostage rescue this weekend, the United Nations is now officially expressing “shock” at its impact on the civilians of Gaza.

Jeremy Laurence, the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, released this statement on Tuesday:

We are profoundly shocked at the impact on civilians of the Israeli forces’ operation in An Nuseirat at the weekend to secure the release of four hostages. Hundreds of Palestinians, many of them civilians, were reportedly killed and injured. 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.

Our Office is also deeply distressed that Palestinian armed groups continue to hold many hostages, most of them civilians, which is prohibited by international humanitarian law. Furthermore, by holding hostages in such densely populated areas, the armed groups doing so are 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.

In other words, it is a war crime for Hamas to hold hostages in densely populated areas, because it puts the lives of civilians at risk, and it is also a “war crime” for Israel to put those civilians in danger when trying to rescue those hostages.