Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča briefed a Security Council meeting on Tuesday, convened by Israel to discuss the plight of hostages still held in the conflict-ridden enclave. This follows Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad releasing images and videos of two emaciated hostages, Evaytar David and Rom Braslavsky, causing outrage and condemnation.
‘An affront to humanity itself’
“The scenes of Evaytar apparently being forced to dig his own grave are appalling,” he said. “These images, and their own accounts of their treatment, have horrified us all. They are an affront to humanity itself.” Mr. Jenča acknowledged the presence of Mr. David’s brother, Ilay, who participated in the meeting via videoconference, saying the UN recognizes “the profound pain and hardship endured by the families and loved ones of those who remain in captivity.” He recalled that the Jewish community commemorated Tisha B’Av, a day of mourning and remembrance of historical tragedies. “I pay tribute to your courage and determination and I share your dearest wish: for your brother, and all hostages held in Gaza, to be immediately and unconditionally released,” he said.
A war crime
Currently, 50 hostages continue to be held by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in horrific conditions, with 28 thought to be deceased, while freed hostages “have relayed distressing accounts of deprivation, ill-treatment, and abuse.” Since the conflict began, Hamas and other armed groups have circulated videos of hostages, including statements made under duress. “International law is clear,” said Mr. Jenča. “Hostage-taking is prohibited – it is a war crime.” He emphasized the humane treatment of detained individuals and called for visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). He reiterated UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
Gaza situation ‘unbearable’
Meanwhile, “the situation in Gaza is horrifying – it is unbearable,” Mr. Jenča continued, noting that “Palestinians are subjected to squalid, inhumane conditions daily.” More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began. “Since the end of May, over 1,200 Palestinians have been killed and over 8,100 injured while trying to access food supplies,” said Mr. Jenča. “The deaths and injuries continue to mount, day by day, with no end in sight to the suffering.” This occurs as Israel severely restricts humanitarian assistance, with the aid allowed being “grossly inadequate.”
‘Hunger is everywhere’
“Hunger is everywhere in Gaza, visible in the faces of children and the desperation of parents risking their lives for basic supplies,” he told the Council. He echoed the Secretary-General’s condemnation of violence in Gaza, including attacks on people trying to access food. “International law is clear. Civilians must be respected, protected, and never targeted or deliberately deprived of food or access to lifesaving aid – doing so is a war crime,” he said. “Israel must immediately allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of sufficient humanitarian relief for civilians in need, to avert further suffering and loss of life.”
Potential military expansion ‘deeply alarming’
Mr. Jenča also addressed reports of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s potential expansion of military operations in the Gaza Strip. If true, they are “deeply alarming,” as “this would risk catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza.” He emphasized that Gaza must remain an integral part of a future Palestinian State, citing the July 2024 Advisory Opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which declared Israel’s obligation to cease settlement activities and end its unlawful presence.
No military solution
Mr. Jenča concluded by underlining the UN’s stance that the only way to end the violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza is through a full and permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and unimpeded aid access. Civilians must be guaranteed safe access to assistance. He stressed no military solution exists for the Gaza conflict or the broader Israel-Palestine conflict. “We must establish political and security frameworks to relieve the humanitarian catastrophe, start recovery and reconstruction, address security concerns, end Israel’s occupation and achieve a sustainable two-State solution,” he said. This would mean “Israel and a fully independent, democratic, contiguous, viable, and sovereign Palestinian State, of which Gaza is an integral part – living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders, based on pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.”
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