UN rights office urges humane treatment of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees
10 February 2025
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations human rights office on Friday urged Israel and Palestinian authorities to ensure the humane treatment of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian detainees held by Israel.
The office said it was “deeply concerned” about the welfare of the Israeli hostages, who were captured in a cross-border raid by Hamas militants in 2014. The hostages, who include two soldiers and a civilian, are believed to be held in underground tunnels in the Gaza Strip.
The office also expressed concern about the conditions of Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons. It said that some of the detainees had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment, and that they were being held without charge or trial.
“We urge both sides to respect their obligations under international law and to ensure the humane treatment of all detainees,” said Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the UN human rights office.
The Israeli government has said that it is committed to the humane treatment of the Israeli hostages. However, it has also said that it will not negotiate with Hamas until the hostages are released.
The Palestinian Authority has said that it is also committed to the humane treatment of Palestinian detainees. However, it has accused Israel of using excessive force against Palestinian protesters and of carrying out arbitrary arrests.
The UN human rights office called on both sides to work together to resolve the issue of the hostages and detainees. It said that the situation was a “humanitarian crisis” and that it was “imperative” that both sides take steps to address it.
Background
The capture of the Israeli hostages in 2014 was a major escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The hostages were captured in a cross-border raid by Hamas militants, who infiltrated Israel through a tunnel. The hostages were taken to the Gaza Strip, where they have been held ever since.
The Israeli government has said that it is committed to securing the release of the hostages. However, it has also said that it will not negotiate with Hamas until the hostages are released.
The Palestinian Authority has said that it is also committed to the release of the hostages. However, it has accused Israel of using excessive force against Palestinian protesters and of carrying out arbitrary arrests.
The UN human rights office has repeatedly called on both sides to work together to resolve the issue of the hostages and detainees. It has said that the situation is a “humanitarian crisis” and that it is “imperative” that both sides take steps to address it.
UN rights office urges humane treatment of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees
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