U.N. rapporteurs should focus on immediate release of all hostages

"Dr. Shelly Aviv Yeini, a member of the International Law Team at the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum, criticized the United Nations (UN) statement urging Israel to implement a ceasefire in Gaza.

Dr. Yeini, who is a post-doctoral fellow at the Minerva Center for the Rule of Law under Extreme Conditions at the University of Haifa, explained, ‘United Nations special rapporteurs have recently issued an official statement, emphasizing the imperative need to implement a ceasefire and alerting the risk of the prevailing situation evolving into a genocide.’

She stressed, ‘It is incumbent upon us to underscore that populist rhetoric from individuals lacking substantial influence over policy cannot be wielded as evidence to establish an intent to commit genocide.’

‘An examination of Israel's actual practices contradicts the aforementioned assertion.

Contrary to the allegations, Israel has permitted the entry of fuel and humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. However, it is regrettably noted that there exists no assurance that 240 Israeli hostages in Gaza, including 90 women and 40 children, will receive requisite medical care and basic humanitarian treatment,’ Dr. Yeini noted.

‘It is essential to refrain from engaging in a doctrinally unsound and unhelpful analysis that prioritizes weightless commentary over tangible actions. If the special rapporteurs aim to advance relief in the region, their foundational focus should unequivocally be the immediate release of all hostages.

‘It is imperative for the international community to exert every effort within its purview to secure the safe return of the hostages,’ she concluded."