00:00So, we have seen the video and reports of sexual abuse of detainees are horrific.
00:07They ought to be investigated fully by the government of Israel, by the IDF.
00:15Prisoners need to be treated, prisoners' human rights need to be respected in all cases and
00:22when there are alleged violations, the government of Israel needs to take steps to investigate
00:26those who are alleged to have committed abuses and if appropriate, hold them accountable
00:31and pass judgment on the merits.
00:34But look, there ought to be zero tolerance for sexual abuse, rape of any detainee, period.
00:41That's a fundamental belief of the United States and if there are detainees who have
00:49been abused or detainees who have been sexually assaulted or raped, the government of Israel
00:55and the IDF need to fully investigate those actions and hold anyone responsible accountable
01:01to the full extent of the law.
01:03We would hope that at that OIC meeting, the same thing happens that we have been trying
01:07to effectuate throughout the last week, which is that all parties that have a relationship
01:13with Iran, impress upon Iran, the same way that we've been impressing upon the government
01:16of Israel, that they shouldn't take any steps to escalate the conflict.
01:19And so, obviously, there are a number of countries with whom we speak who are attending that
01:23meeting who are members of the OIC.
01:27We have heard from those countries, really a broad consensus in every conversation that
01:31we have had, that they share our opinion that escalation would only exacerbate the problems
01:38facing the region.
01:39And so, certainly, we would hope that countries at that meeting would impress that upon Iran.
01:43It is also true that he continues to be the person that calls the shots for Hamas.
01:47And that was true before the death of the leader of the – the political leader of
01:52Hamas.
01:53And that continues to be true today.
01:54Ultimately, it was Sinwar that had the final decision-making authority, as we could see
01:58throughout these negotiations, on whether to accept a ceasefire or not.
02:02So yes, Sinwar absolutely ought to be brought to justice.
02:06We believe that for the – his significant acts of terrorism.
02:12And we also think he ought to accept the ceasefire deal that is manifestly in the interests of
02:16the Palestinian people, as well as, of course, in the interests of Israel and the broader
02:19region.
02:20So what we are sending to everyone is, look, this is obviously a very delicate time for
02:24the region.
02:25Tensions are high.
02:26We are in the final stages, hopefully, of a ceasefire deal.
02:30And escalation has the potential to make every problem the region faces worse.
02:35And so the message that we are impressing upon everyone in the region is that no party
02:41should take any steps to escalate this conflict.
02:50For more UN videos visit www.un.org
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