Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has issued a stark call for urgent action to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East amid rising fears of a broader conflict involving Gaza.
In a statement released today, Turk expressed profound concern over the growing risk of a larger-scale conflict in the region.
He urged all parties, as well as influential nations, to act swiftly to defuse the increasingly perilous situation.
Turk emphasized that human rights and civilian protection must remain top priorities, noting the severe suffering endured by civilians, especially women and children, due to ongoing violence and bombings over the past ten months.
The UN High Commissioner stressed that every effort must be made to prevent the situation from spiraling into a catastrophe with even more dire consequences for civilians.
Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel have sharply intensified since the Israeli airstrike on July 30, which killed Hezbollah military leader Fouad Shukr in the suburbs of Beirut.
The following day, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, an attack blamed on Israel, although Tel Aviv has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.
Hamas and Iran have vowed retaliation for Haniyeh’s killing, while Hezbollah has promised to respond to Shukr’s assassination.
Fears of a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah are escalating amid ongoing cross-border exchanges of fire that have continued for months.
