Hostages’ parents, UN envoy to urge return of captive bodies in special Security Council session

The United Nations Security Council will convene  today for a special briefing on the “Protection of civilians in armed conflict,” and discuss Resolution 2474, which addresses the obligation of returning hostage bodies in armed conflicts, says Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon.

Danon’s office says it is the first-ever discussion by the council on the issue since the October 7, 2023, attack by the Hamas terror group, which currently holds 58 hostages out of the 251 they kidnapped during the onslaught, at least 35 of whom Israel believes are dead. There are grave concerns for the well-being of three others, Israeli officials have said.

In his address to the council, Danon will emphasize that “Hamas has industrialized the kidnapping of bodies — and the world’s silence must end. One cannot demand human rights while accepting the holding of bodies by a terrorist organization. Israel is demanding something basic, moral, and human — to bring everyone home. It is time for the Security Council to move from words to action,” according to his office.

At the opening of the session, Ruby Chen, father of slain American-Israeli hostage Itay Chen, will brief the council’s ambassadors before Danon addresses his counterparts, says the envoy’s office.

Danon will also deliver a media statement ahead of the session alongside Leah Goldin, mother of Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier killed and abducted by Hamas in 2014, during a ceasefire with Israel.

The briefing on will take place at 3 p.m. New York time (10 p.m. Israel time).