Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, accused all parties involved in the Israeli conflict of committing war crimes in Gaza.
Türk urged for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible.
Speaking at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, he highlighted that all sides are engaging in “gross violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including war crimes and possibly other crimes under international law.”
The UN official, who presented a report on the human rights situation in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, pointed out numerous incidents recorded by his office that could amount to war crimes by Israeli forces.
He also noted instances of “indiscriminate or disproportionate” targeting by Israeli forces, which contravenes international law.
Israel maintains that it does everything possible to minimize civilian casualties.
Furthermore, Türk expressed concern over the potential for an Israeli ground assault on the southern border city of Rafah, which is densely populated with approximately 1.5 million people who have fled their homes due to Israeli operations.
Such an attack, he warned, would escalate the already dire situation in Gaza to a new level of harsh reality.
Last month, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and to make greater efforts to assist civilians, though it stopped short of issuing a ceasefire order.
This statement from the UN High Commissioner underscores the urgent need for peace, investigation, and accountability in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry announced on Thursday that the death toll from the Israeli offensive has exceeded 30,000 since the conflict began on October 7th.
According to Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qudra, the death toll surpassed 30,000 following the arrival of 79 bodies at hospitals in the territory.
