Israel blasts UN rights office for neglecting hostages in statement recapping war’s first 100 days

Israel criticized the UN human rights office after its statement Friday on the conflict with Hamas made no call for the release of hostages held in Gaza.

The Geneva-based Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a statement marking 100 days since the conflict began on October 7.

“This Sunday will mark 100 days since Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups launched their horrific attack on Israel, in which 1,200 people, mostly Israelis, were killed and around 250 taken hostage,” the statement began.

“On the conduct of hostilities, we have repeatedly highlighted Israel’s recurring failures to uphold the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law: distinction, proportionality, and precautions in carrying out attacks,” it continued.

“Breaches of these obligations risk exposure to liability for war crimes.”

It called for a ceasefire to “end the appalling suffering and loss of life” and allow the prompt and effective delivery of humanitarian aid to a population “facing shocking levels of hunger and disease.”

Relatives of Israeli hostages held by Hamas gather along the Gaza border, equipped with powerful loudspeakers hanging from cranes, in an effort to get messages of hope across to them as their time in captivity nears 100 days, on January 11, 2024. (Jack Guez/AFP)

The statement provokes a response from Israel’s mission in Geneva.

“Not one word demanding the release of the hostages held in Gaza,” it said on X, formerly Twitter.

“A call for a ceasefire, without demanding the release of our hostages and the disarming of Hamas, is a call for terrorism to win.”

Volker Turk, UN high commissioner for human rights, has repeatedly called for the hostages to be freed but the latest statement from his office neglected the issue