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UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Israeli raid in Gaza to free hostages
“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,” he said.
“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 in 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,” Laurence said.
“The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk welcomes a Security Council Resolution 2735 calling for a "full and complete ceasefire", the release of hostages held by Palestinian armed groups, the return of dead hostages' remains and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners. An immediate priority must be to ensure the full and unfettered flow of humanitarian aid to the desperate population of Gaza,” he said.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights calls on all parties as well as third States, in particular those with influence over the parties to the conflict, to also maximize the efforts toward working on the goal where Israelis and Palestinians can fully enjoy all human rights and live side by side, in peace.
ENDS
For more information and media requests, please contact:
In Geneva
Jeremy Laurence - +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org
Liz Throssell - + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org
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STORY: UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Israeli raid in Gaza to free hostages
TRT: 02:16
SOURCE: UNOG/OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: English/NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 11 June 2024 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
SHOTLIST
1. Exterior shots : Palais des Nations
2. Interior shot : Briefing room
3. SOUNDBITE (English)— Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “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.”
4. Cutaways: Briefing room
5. SOUNDBITE (English)— Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “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 in 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.”
6. Cutaways: Briefing room
7. SOUNDBITE (English)— Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, welcomes a Security Council Resolution 2735 calling for a "full and complete ceasefire", the release of hostages held by Palestinian armed groups, the return of dead hostages' remains and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners. An immediate priority must be to ensure the full and unfettered flow of humanitarian aid to the desperate population of Gaza.”
8. Cutaways: Briefing room
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