UN ‘shocked’ at civilian toll of Israeli operation to free prisoners

Geneva, Switzerland — AFP

The UN has voiced alarm at the civilian toll of Israel’s rescue of four Israeli prisoners in Gaza, and the fact that Palestinian armed groups are holding captives there.

“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,” spokesman Jeremy Laurence told reporters in Geneva.

Israeli forces stormed Nuseirat refugee camp on Saturday to rescue four Israeli prisoners. At least 274 Palestinians were killed and 698 wounded during the operation.

“Hundreds of Palestinians, many of them civilians, were reportedly killed and injured,” Laurence said.

“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.”

Asked about figures provided by the Gaza health ministry, he said that prior to October 7, when there was greater possibility to check, the UN had consistently found “the numbers they provide us are… very close to being 100-percent accurate”.

The UN rights office has had limited access to verify numbers since the war started but Laurence said it still had contacts on the ground “who are reliable”.

– Lives put at ‘added risk’ –

Asked about prisoners held in Gaza, Laurence said this was also “prohibited by international 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,” he stressed.

Israel has killed at least 37,124 people there, mostly women and children, according to the health minister in the besieged Palestinian territory.