Geneva, February 27 (RHC)-- The UN Human Rights chief says the Israeli regime has been demonstrating an “unprecedented disregard for human rights” in the Gaza Strip, calling the humanitarian situation there a "catastrophe."
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk presented a comprehensive report detailing the human rights situation in Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and East Al-Quds on Wednesday.
Addressing the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on conditions inside the occupied Palestinian territory, Turk characterized the humanitarian situation in Gaza as a "catastrophe," attributing it to severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli regime.
“Nothing justifies the appalling manner in which Israel has conducted its military operations in Gaza, which consistently breached international law,” Turk stated, highlighting the extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, and schools.
He added that Israeli forces in the West Bank have intensified the use of "unnecessary and disproportionate force," destroying refugee camps, restricting movement, and displacing tens of thousands.
Turk also warned of a severe crackdown on civic space, particularly against human rights advocates. The human rights chief raised concerns over war crimes, saying, "Israel’s means and methods of warfare have caused staggering levels of casualties and destruction, raising concerns over the commission of war crimes and other possible atrocity crimes."
Moreover, Turk urged for an independent investigation into all violations, yet expressed skepticism regarding the Israeli justice system's commitment to ensuring complete accountability in accordance with international standards.
In an apparent response to the outlawing of the UN Palestine refugee relief agency (UNRWA) by Israel and the sanctions against the International Criminal Court by the US earlier this month, the UN rights chief said that “delegitimizing and threatening international institutions that are there to serve people and uphold international law also harms us all.”
He also said any attempt to annex Palestinian land or “forced transfer” of civilians must be resisted, adding that “this is the moment for voices of reason to prevail.”
Meanwhile, the Palestinian representative at the Council said that the Israeli regime had committed war crimes and genocide against the Palestinians, citing a denial of essential humanitarian aid to the enclave.
“Tents have been denied together with mobile homes. It has impeded access of food and medicines,” the Palestinian ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Ibrahim Khraishi told the council.
He also condemned settler violence and Israeli military operations in the West Bank, noting that at least 40,000 Palestinians have fled their homes in the northern West Bank since last month due to renewed military actions after reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza after 15 months of war.
Representatives of Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq reacted to the report, reiterating their demands for an immediate cessation of Israeli aggression and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
