NEW YORK, (PIC)
Francesca Albanese, the UN’s special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, said the release of four Israeli captives held in Gaza did not need to come at the expense of hundreds of Palestinian lives, including women and children.
“Relieved that four hostages have been released. It should not have come at the expense of at least 200 Palestinians, including children, killed and over 400 injured by Israel and allegedly foreign soldiers, while perfidiously hiding in an aid truck. This is humanitarian camouflage at another level,” Albanese said in a social media post.
“Israel has used hostages to legitimize killing, injuring, maiming, starving and traumatizing Palestinians in Gaza. And while intensifying violence against Palestinians in the rest of the occupied territory and Israel,” the UN rapporteur underlined.
“Israel could have freed all hostages, alive and intact, eight months ago when the first ceasefire and hostage exchange was put on the table. Yet, Israel refused in order to continue to destroy Gaza and the Palestinians as a people. This is genocidal intent turned into action. Crystal clear,” she added.
