The United Nations' top human rights official has delivered a devastating assessment of the conflict in Gaza, declaring that war crimes are being committed by both Israeli forces and Hamas militants.
Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, used a major address in Geneva to issue an urgent plea for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. He warned that the catastrophic situation in the besieged Palestinian territory is spiralling beyond control.
A Plea from Geneva
Speaking at a press conference, Mr Türk stated that the scale of Palestinian civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza was "absolutely overwhelming". He expressed grave concern over the clear violations of international law.
"The atrocities perpetrated by Palestinian armed groups on October 7 were heinous, and they were war crimes," Türk said. "The continued holding of hostages is also a war crime. But the collective punishment inflicted upon the Palestinian people is also a war crime. The unequivocal international humanitarian law is being violated."
The Staggering Human Cost
The Commissioner's intervention comes as the death toll in Gaza continues to rise at an alarming rate. He emphasised that a ceasefire is not just a diplomatic goal but a critical necessity to stop the killing, facilitate the delivery of life-saving aid, and enable the release of hostages.
His calls echo those of other major international bodies and an increasing number of UN member states who are watching the humanitarian disaster unfold with horror.
International Response and UK Stance
The UK government, along with key allies, has so far resisted calls for a full ceasefire, instead advocating for "humanitarian pauses" to allow aid into the strip. However, the pressure for a more decisive international response is mounting significantly following such strong condemnations from senior UN figures.
This powerful statement from the world's leading human rights official marks a pivotal moment, intensifying the global demand for a de-escalation and a political path out of the crisis.
