As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, the families of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas and several human rights groups are urging the international community to impose sanctions on the militant group and its allies.
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According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Hamas captured 203 Israelis, mostly civilians, in a surprise attack on October 7, 2023. Since then, only 58 hostages have been released in exchange for 117 Palestinian prisoners. The remaining hostages are still in unknown locations and conditions, as Hamas demands the release of 5,000 more Palestinians, including women and children, from Israeli jails.
The relatives of the hostages have been holding rallies across Israel, demanding that the government negotiate with Hamas and secure the release of their loved ones. Some of them have also traveled to Geneva, where they met with officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
"We are here to raise our voice and ask for your help. Our family members are innocent civilians who have nothing to do with the conflict. They are suffering in the hands of Hamas, who are using them as bargaining chips and violating their human rights," said Adva Adar, whose grandmother Yafa was among the hostages released last week.
Adar said her grandmother had lost weight and was traumatized by her ordeal. She also said that Hamas had not allowed any communication or access to the hostages by the ICRC or any other humanitarian organization.
Several human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have also condemned Hamas for taking hostages and firing rockets at Israeli civilians. They have called on Hamas and other armed groups to release all civilian hostages unconditionally and immediately, and to stop indiscriminate attacks.
They have also urged the international community to take action against Hamas and its supporters, such as Iran and Qatar, by imposing sanctions and cutting off financial and military aid.
"Taking hostages is a war crime and a grave violation of international humanitarian law. Civilians, including children, people with disabilities, and older people, should never be treated as bargaining chips," said Agnès Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International.
Callamard also said that the international community should not turn a blind eye to the atrocities committed by Hamas and its allies, and should hold them accountable for their actions.
"The world cannot stand by and watch as Hamas continues to terrorize and torture innocent people. The international community has a responsibility to protect civilians and to ensure respect for human rights and humanitarian law. It is time to impose sanctions on Hamas and its backers, and to pressure them to end this nightmare for the hostages and their families," she said.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 12/13/2023
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