The Lemkin Institute condemns the massacre carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the Nuseirat refugee camp last week. While we welcome the rescue and return of four Israeli hostages, the cost of the rescue is unacceptable if it means killing 276 Palestinians, including over 60 children, and wounding another 698 more.

We reiterate that the safest and most ethical means of ensuring the return of hostages held in the Gaza Strip is through diplomacy and negotiation, as we saw demonstrated in November 2023. Israel has had many chances to sign a ceasefire in exchange for the return of remaining hostages since then.

We emphasize the importance of negotiating a permanent ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip along with the thousands of Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel.

Last week, on June 8th, the IDF infiltrated the densely packed refugee camp and recklessly bombarded the heart of the residential neighborhood. Further, according to eyewitness accounts, the IDF reportedly committed perfidy, disguising themselves as displaced Palestinians and utilizing a humanitarian vehicle to infiltrate the camp.

Slaughtering hundreds of Palestinians attempting to buy basic goods from the market in the name of retrieving four hostages is unbecoming of a professional military force. It is also illegal and immoral. Western nations celebrating this operation, including the Biden Administration in the United States, refuse to recognize the humanity of Palestinians, further demonstrating the depravity that has characterized the continued support of Israel by Western nations.

We reiterate our condemnation of the massacre carried out by the IDF in Nuseirat and emphasize that a permanent ceasefire and mutual release of hostages is the only option to prevent the continuation of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide against the people of Gaza.