Gaza Civilian Deaths Possibly War Crimes, Says UN

The United Nations human rights office has indicated that the deaths of civilians in Gaza during an Israeli operation to release hostages may constitute war crimes. The operation reportedly caused hundreds of Palestinian civilian casualties, with hostages held by armed groups in densely populated areas, exacerbating the risk to civilian lives.

The United Nations human rights office said on Tuesday that the civilian deaths in Gaza during the Israeli operation to secure the release of four hostages and their holding by armed groups in densely populated areas could amount to war crimes.

"Hundreds of Palestinians, many of them civilians, were reportedly killed and injured," said Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the U.N. human rights office.

"Furthermore, by holding hostages in such densely populated areas, the armed groups doing so are putting the lives of Palestinian civilians, as well as the hostages themselves, at added risk from the hostilities. All these actions, by both parties, may amount to war crimes."