A group of independent experts from the United Nations condemned violence against civilians in Israel on Thursday. According to Reuters, they expressed regret over what they termed 'collective punishment' in Israel's retaliatory attacks on Gaza. This group of experts condemned the 'horrific crimes of Hamas' while accusing Israel of launching 'indiscriminate military attacks against the Palestinian people of Gaza.' The UN experts, which include several special rapporteurs of the organization, stated in a declaration that the people of Gaza have 'lived under illegal siege for 16 years and have endured five major brutal wars, for which there are still no reports.' The experts stated, 'This constitutes collective punishment. There is no justification for violence targeting innocent civilians, whether by Hamas or Israeli forces.' The Israeli army insists that the targets it attacks are 'legitimate targets.' The Israeli army claims that Hamas hides in buildings where civilians are present. The UN experts stated in their declaration that hostage-taking within the context of hostilities is also considered a war crime. Reports indicate that Hamas and Islamic Jihad took dozens of people as hostages to Gaza following the widespread massacre of people in Israel. The US Secretary of State has arrived in Israel. CNN reports that Hamas's military weapons have come from Iran. The US Ambassador to the UN stated that Americans should recount what has happened to the victims of Hamas's attack. Who is Mohammed Deif, the commander and possible mastermind behind Hamas's recent attack on Israel?
UN Experts Condemn 'Horrific Crimes of Hamas' and Label Israel's Response as 'Collective Punishment'
UN experts condemned the violence against civilians in Israel and criticized Israel's retaliatory actions in Gaza as collective punishment. They highlighted the ongoing suffering of Gazans under siege and called for accountability for all parties involved. This situation is significant as it reflects the complexities of international responses to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
UN experts condemned violence against civilians in Israel and criticized Israel's retaliatory actions in Gaza as collective punishment. They highlighted the ongoing suffering of Gazans under siege and called for accountability for all parties involved.
- UN experts condemned Hamas's attacks and Israel's response.
- The experts highlighted the long-standing siege on Gaza and its humanitarian impact.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades, with periodic escalations in violence. Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007, leading to severe humanitarian conditions.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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