Official condemns hostage-taking, warns against IDF expansion in Gaza at UNSC on Tues.

Good morning, I'm Walter Lee filling in for Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now.

The UN Security Council assembled on Tuesday for a meeting called by Israel, to address the situation of hostages still held in Gaza, following Hamas' release of videos of emaciated Israeli hostages.

At the meeting United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas, Miroslav Jenča , condemned footage of the visibly malnourished hostages, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavsky who were taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

He also emphasized that hostage taking is a violation of international law and constitutes a war crime.

Jenča addressed reports that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to expand military operations in Gaza, calling the plan "deeply alarming" and a risk to the lives of remaining hostages.

Ilay David, the brother of hostage Evyatar David, also spoke at the meeting via video link up and described the deteriorating condition of his sibling.