Israel criticised the UN human rights office after its statement Friday on the conflict with Hamas made no call for the release of hostages held in Gaza.
The Geneva-based Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a statement marking 100 days since the conflict began on October 7.
"This Sunday will mark 100 days since Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups launched their horrific attack on Israel, in which 1,200 people, mostly Israelis, were killed and around 250 taken hostage," the statement began.
"On the conduct of hostilities, we have repeatedly highlighted Israel's recurring failures to uphold the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law: distinction, proportionality, and precautions in carrying out attacks," it continued.
"Breaches of these obligations risk exposure to liability for war crimes."
It called for a ceasefire to "end the appalling suffering and loss of life" and allow the prompt and effective delivery of humanitarian aid to a population "facing shocking levels of hunger and disease".
The statement provoked a response from Israel's mission in Geneva.
"Not one word demanding the release of the hostages held in Gaza," it said on X, formerly Twitter.
"A call for a ceasefire, without demanding the release of our hostages and the disarming of Hamas, is a call for terrorism to win."
Hamas fighters attacked Israel on October 7. The unprecedented attack by the Islamist group resulted in the death of about 1,140 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Around 250 hostages were also seized.
Vowing to eliminate Hamas, Israel has since then carried out a relentless bombardment, alongside a ground invasion, which has killed at least 23,708 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest Gaza health ministry figures.
Volker Turk, UN high commissioner for human rights, has repeatedly called for the hostages to be freed.
"As an immediate step, I call for an urgent cessation of hostilities and the release of all hostages," he told a press conference on December 6, and in a December 19 statement said: "The fighting must stop. The remaining hostages must also be released."
In Friday's statement, OHCHR said hundreds of Palestinians had reportedly been arbitrarily detained in unknown locations, both within and outside Gaza, "in many cases amounting to enforced disappearance".
"Some of those released have alleged ill-treatment and torture at the hands of the Israel Defence Forces," the statement said.
"Israel must immediately end arbitrary detention, torture, ill-treatment and enforced disappearance of Palestinians in Gaza, and must independently and effectively investigate such acts, prosecute any perpetrators, and prevent recurrence."