Volker Türk urges Israeli government to focus instead on saving civilian lives in Gaza by permitting 'full, unfettered flow' of humanitarian aid
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Friday called on Israel to immediately halt its plan for a full military occupation of the Gaza Strip, warning that such a move would violate international law and cause further mass suffering.
Türk said the plan “runs contrary to the ruling of the International Court of Justice that Israel must bring its occupation to an end as soon as possible," according to a statement released by the UN Human Rights Office.
He added that it also undermines the agreed-upon two-state solution and the Palestinian right to self-determination.
“On all evidence to date, this further escalation will result in more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction and atrocity crimes,” he said.
He stressed that the war in Gaza “must end now” and that Israelis and Palestinians “must be allowed to live side by side in peace.”
Türk urged the Israeli government to focus instead on saving civilian lives in Gaza by permitting the “full, unfettered flow” of humanitarian aid into the enclave.
He also called for hostages held by Palestinian armed groups to be released “immediately and unconditionally,” as well as for the release of Palestinians “arbitrarily detained” by Israel.
“Instead of intensifying this war, the Israeli government should put all its efforts into saving the lives of Gaza’s civilians,” Türk said, warning that continued escalation would only prolong the suffering and devastation.
