UN says hostages and prisoners treated badly – 21 February 2025
The United Nations (UN) has criticised the way that Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners have been treated during the war over Gaza.
Photo by Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu via Getty Images
Israeli hostages arrive in Ramat Gan, a city in Israel
UN Human Rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said that the Israeli hostages released by Hamas on 8 February as part of the ceasefire deal showed signs they had been badly treated, and were badly underfed. He said he was concerned about the way the hostages were paraded around in public and forced to make statements during their release.
He also said that Palestinian prisoners released by Israel also showed signs of the severe conditions in which they had been kept, and was worried about the way they were released, too.
“Israel and Hamas must ensure humane treatment, including freedom from any form of torture or abuse, for all those held under their power,” he wrote in a statement on the UN Human Rights website. He also warned that those found guilty of poor treatment will be punished.
Israeli hostages have told the BBC how they were starved and kept in underground tunnels and buildings.
Taking hostages is a war crime, and the UN has called on Hamas to release all remaining hostages, and for Israel to release any prisoners who are being held for no reason.
