The United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk condemned
Israel for the "mass killing" of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and
obstruction of lifesaving aid, warning of war crimes and urging international
action to end the carnage. He highlighted the use of genocidal rhetoric by
Israeli officials and stressed that Israel faces a case before the
International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
UN Human Rights Chief’s Stark Condemnation
As reported by Olivia Le Poidevin and Emma Farge of Reuters,
Volker Türk, head of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights (OHCHR), delivered a powerful condemnation on Monday at the 60th
session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Türk criticised Israel for
the "mass killing" of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and for
"hindering of sufficient lifesaving aid," asserting that Israel had a
case to answer before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Türk expressed horror at what he described as "the open
use of genocidal rhetoric" and the "disgraceful dehumanization"
of Palestinians by senior Israeli officials. He stated:
"Israel's mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza; its infliction of indescribable suffering and wholesale destruction; its hindering of sufficient lifesaving aid and the ensuing starvation of civilians; its killing of journalists; and its commission of war crime upon war crime, are shocking the conscience of the world".
Despite widespread calls from UN staff to describe the Gaza
conflict as genocide, Türk carefully stopped short of this language, although
he referred to the ICJ ruling in January that Israel had a legal obligation to
prevent acts of genocide.
Context of the Conflict and Casualty Figures
According to the Gaza health ministry cited by Reuters,
Israel's military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of nearly 63,000
Palestinians since the conflict escalated following the Hamas attack on October
7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in 251 hostages
taken by Hamas. The UN estimates close to 1 million people remain in and around
Gaza City, an area now officially declared famine-stricken by the UN.
Daily Sabah reported Türk’s further remarks that Gaza is
"a graveyard" and urged the international community to take decisive
steps to "end the carnage." Türk stressed the dire humanitarian
situation including the starvation of civilians due to blocked aid and
destruction, warning further militarization and occupation will fuel a cycle of
violence and terror.
Legal and Moral Responsibilities
Türk insisted that Israel has
"a legal obligation to take the steps ordered by the International Court of Justice to prevent acts of genocide, punish incitement to genocide, and ensure enough aid reaches Palestinians in Gaza".
He also accused the international community of "failing in its duty," asking pointedly,
"Where are the decisive steps to prevent genocide? They must stop the flow to Israel of arms that risk violating the laws of war".
The condemnation extended beyond Gaza, with Türk lamenting a
broader erosion of international law and war rules globally. He cited ongoing
conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo as
examples where violations occur with "virtually no accountability".
Israeli Response and Wider Political Dynamics
Israeli officials have previously rejected accusations of
genocide, framing their military actions as legitimate self-defence against the
October 7 Hamas attacks. Israel's UN delegation in Geneva stated it would
respond to requests for comment soon after Türk's condemnations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently announced
a deepening military assault on Gaza’s key urban centre, following a series of
airstrikes that included residential buildings in Gaza City. The continued
bombardment has escalated fears of civilian casualties and humanitarian
catastrophe.
Impact on Journalists and Information Flow
UN experts have voiced outrage at the killing of Palestinian
journalists in Gaza during Israeli strikes. Six journalists, including two
women, were killed in recent Israeli airstrikes, amplifying concerns over
suppressed information flow from Gaza.
Broader Warnings on International Order and Rights
Türk’s address highlighted disturbing global trends
jeopardising human rights and multilateralism. He noted the glorification of
violence globally, pointing to military parades in China and militaristic
rhetoric in other nations as examples of rising pro-war propaganda.
He lamented governments "disregarding, disrespecting
and disengaging" from international law, with some states acting as
extensions of rulers’ personal power and retreating from cooperative
international frameworks including climate accords and UN bodies.
The UN human rights chief’s address was a grim reminder of the immense human suffering in Gaza and the urgent need for global action. Volker Türk’s condemnation underscores the precarious state of international law and the imperative to protect civilian lives while upholding rights and accountability. The situation in Gaza remains dire, and the world stands at a crossroads regarding its response to prevent further atrocities.