The UN “shocked” by the death of rescued hostages – DW – 06/11/2024

The United Nations said Tuesday it was “deeply shocked by the impact on civilians” at the Nuseirat refugee camp after Israel’s steps to secure the release of four hostages over the weekend.

Spokesman Jeremy Laurence also said the UN was “deeply distressed that Palestinian armed groups continue to hold numerous hostages, most of them civilians.”

Israeli forces stormed the refugee camp while rescuing Almog Meir Jan, Noa Argamani, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv, whom Hamas had kidnapped from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7.

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said at least 274 Palestinians were killed in Israel’s weekend military operation, which also injured 698 others.

“Hundreds of Palestinians, including many civilians, are believed to have been killed and injured,” Laurence added.

“The manner in which the raid was carried out, in such a densely populated area, seriously calls into question the Israeli forces’ respect for the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution, as set out in the laws of war. “

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to attend a conference on humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip hosted by Jordan on Tuesday, as he continues his tour of the Middle East to reach a deal ending hostilities.

According to the conference’s official website, the summit will bring together leaders, foreign ministers and officials from 75 countries as well as representatives of international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross.

“The war in Gaza is now in its eighth month, with massive loss of civilian life and suffering for the entire population of more than 2.3 million Palestinians across the Strip,” the statement said. conference organizers.

“Famine is imminent in many areas of Gaza; trauma is widespread; every part of Gaza is in ruins. No place in the Gaza Strip is safe and access to food, water, Shelter or medication is virtually non-existent.”

The summit on the Dead Sea coast will bring together Blinken and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Blinken is on his eighth visit to the region since the start of the war.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Tuesday as part of his trip to the Middle East.

Blinken also met with opposition leader Yair Lapid and is expected to speak with Israeli lawmaker Benny Gantz, a former army chief who left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emergency wartime coalition on Sunday.

The secretary of state’s trip aims to garner support for the American ceasefire proposal, which received support from the UN Security Council on Monday.

According to Washington, Hamas has not yet accepted the proposal and Netanyahu has not provided clear support either.

The UN Security Council has backed a US resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, which includes three phases.

The first phase envisages a cessation of fighting for six weeks and an Israeli withdrawal from populated areas of Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return.

This first withdrawal would allow a strong resumption of humanitarian aid, with around 600 trucks entering the enclave every day.

Meanwhile, Hamas reportedly frees women, elderly people and injured hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israel.

In the second phase, all remaining hostages in Gaza, including male Israeli soldiers, would be released, while Israeli forces would withdraw from the entire Gaza Strip. US President Joe Biden hopes the ceasefire will become permanent at this point.

The third phase would see the start of a Gaza reconstruction plan supported by the international community.

“This Council has sent a clear message to Hamas: accept the proposed ceasefire agreement. Israel has already accepted this agreement, and the fighting could stop today if Hamas did the same,” the Council said. American Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas. -Greenfield after Monday’s session.

jsi/kb (AP, dpa, AFP, Reuters)