UN torture expert calls for immediate release of Israeli hostages after meeting with former hostages and families

GENEVA – The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Jill Edwards, today urged the release of all hostages in Gaza unconditionally and without delay.

Edwards also deplored the recent killing of six Israeli hostages and called for an immediate end to hostilities on all fronts of this war.

“The taking and holding of hostages are internationally unlawful acts and are also forms of torture and inhuman treatment,” Edwards said. “People must never be used as bargaining chips or leverage for political ends.

“The suffering caused by the uncertainty for families about the fate of their loved ones still trapped in Gaza is also prohibited torture and cruel treatment, as recognised by international courts.”

The expert was briefed in Geneva on Monday last week on the conditions that released hostages endured as well as their long road to recovery. She met with mother and daughter former hostages Chen and Agam (17 years old) Almog-Goldstein, who were held for 51 days in Gaza including in tunnels, along with Chen’s young sons aged 11 and nine years old. They were released in the first Gaza deal. They were abducted from their home in the morning of 7 October after Chen’s husband and oldest daughter were killed by militants of Hamas or other armed groups. She also met with Ayelet Levy Schachar, mother of the hostage Naama Levy (taken at age 19 years old and who turned 20 years old in Gaza), who remains unaccounted for.

Ninety-seven hostages are still missing after being abducted by Hamas and other armed groups on 7 October last year. Reportedly, 35 of those have perished.

“As time passes by, the threats to the life and well-being of the hostages intensifies, and the urgency of action to ensure their release and put an end to the war grows. I am extremely concerned at allegations of sexual harm reportedly inflicted on some female hostages,” Edwards said.

“I believe only if we are able to have empathy for all those affected by this terrible armed conflict will peace ever be achieved. Human rights apply to everyone without distinction of any kind.”

The Special Rapporteur has been engaged on several aspects of the conflict. She has previously written to the Palestinian Authority and Hamas regarding the hostages. She has also communicated allegations of Israeli torture and mistreatment of detained Palestinians and repeats her calls for the humane and dignified treatment and swift release of all Palestinians arbitrarily detained. She has held several follow-up meetings with the Permanent Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations in Geneva and with Israeli authorities.

“This is a devastating and deeply painful conflict, in which tens of thousands of lives have been lost. The perpetration of international crimes of all kinds and by all perpetrators must be investigated fully, independently and impartially, and those accountable subjected to the highest penalties,” Edwards said.

“All UN Member States must strive to end the torment of Palestinians and Israelis alike without any further delay.”

The Special Rapporteur reminds all parties of their obligations to comply fully with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

The expert remains fully engaged with addressing allegations of torture and/or ill-treatment in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Israel and beyond.