Israeli forces and Hamas may both have committed war crimes in connection with a deadly raid over the weekend when Israeli forces freed four hostages. This is according to the UN Office for Human Rights.
According to health authorities in the Hamas-controlled area, 274 people - including several women and children - were killed and nearly 700 injured when hundreds of Israeli soldiers entered the Nuseirat refugee camp to free the captives.
We are deeply shocked by the Israeli forces' operation in the Nuseirat camp, says UN spokesperson for human rights Jeremy Laurence at a press conference.
He believes the operation may constitute a war crime.
The way the raid was carried out, in such a densely populated area, raises serious doubts about whether the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution - as stated in the laws of war - were respected by the Israeli forces.
On the question of the Israeli hostages being held in Gaza by the terrorist-designated Hamas, Laurence said this is also "forbidden under international law".
By holding hostages in such densely populated areas, the armed groups are also putting the lives of Palestinian civilians, as well as the hostages themselves, at increased risk, he says.
All these actions by both parties may constitute war crimes.
The war in Gaza broke out after the terrorist-designated Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October, when over 1,100 people were killed and over 250 people were taken hostage. More than 100 of them were released in connection with a ceasefire in November.
About 120 hostages are believed to still be held by Hamas – a third of them are feared to have died.
Since the Gaza war broke out, over 37,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled health department. Severe conditions prevail on the strip, as the war has severely limited the supply of food, medicine, and other essentials.
