The resumption of hostilities in Gaza and its terrifying impact
on civilians underscore the need for the violence to end and a
long-term political solution between Palestinians and Israelis to
be found, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on
Sunday.
“Silence the guns and return to dialogue – the suffering
inflicted on civilians is too much to bear. More violence is not
the answer. It will bring neither peace nor security,” Volker
Türk said in a statement, voicing deep
concern that negotiations towards a continuation of last week’s
pause had reportedly stalled.
Fighting resumed on Friday and hundreds of Palestinians have been
killed by Israeli bombardments, he said, citing the Gaza Ministry
of Health.
No aid entered the enclave via the Rafah crossing with Egypt on
Friday, and delivery on Saturday was restricted, further
impacting humanitarian operations to support millions amid a
scarcity of food, water, fuel and other basic essentials.
No safe place
Mr. Türk feared the renewed and intensified hostilities would
lead to even more death, disease, and destruction.
“As a result of Israel’s conduct of hostilities and its orders
for people to leave the north and parts of the south, hundreds of
thousands are being confined into ever smaller areas in southern
Gaza without proper sanitation, access to sufficient food, water
and health supplies, even as bombs rain down around them,” he
said, adding “there is no safe place in Gaza.”
He stressed that international law and human rights law uphold
the protection of civilians and the facilitation of unimpeded
humanitarian access to people in need.
Concern for north Gaza
The UN human rights chief also highlighted how hundreds of
thousands of people remaining in northern Gaza are at renewed
risk of bombardment and continue to be deprived of food and other
essentials.
He said this appalling situation and the orders to move south
means people are essentially being forced to move in what appears
to be an attempt to empty northern Gaza of Palestinians.
“The world bore witness of week upon week of horror since this
latest crisis began, marked by extremely grave concerns around
wilful killing of civilians, firing of indiscriminate rockets,
indiscriminate attacks using explosive weapons with wide-area
effects in populated areas, forms of collective punishment,
obstruction of humanitarian aid, and hostage-taking – all
forbidden under international law,” he said.
He added that extremely serious allegations of multiple and grave
breaches of international law must be fully investigated and
those responsible held to account. In cases where national
authorities prove unwilling or unable to carry out such
investigations and prosecutions, international investigation is
necessary.
Change course now
He urged Member States to do everything in their power to ensure
all parties comply with their obligations under international law
and prevent the commission of international crimes.
“The time to change course is now. Those that choose to flout
international law are on notice that accountability will be
served. No one is above the law,” he said.
WHO calls for ceasefire
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) also called for a
ceasefire in Gaza in a post on social media on Saturday.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the reports
of ongoing hostilities and bombardment were “petrifying”.
He said a WHO team visited Nassar Medical Hospital in southern
Gaza on Friday, where countless people had sought shelter and
patients were receiving care on the floor.
“These conditions are beyond inadequate -unimaginable for the
provision of health care,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “I
cannot find words strong enough to express our concern over what
we’re witnessing. Ceasefire. NOW.”
