Ambassadors met for an emergency session to debate the escalation within the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Rights chief Volker Türk mentioned he was pained to temporary the Council as soon as once more on the “catastrophic struggling of individuals in Gaza,” noting that “the short-term aid of the ceasefire, which gave Palestinians a second to breathe, has been shattered.”
He reported that since 1 March, Israeli army operations have killed greater than 1,200 Palestinians, together with no less than 320 youngsters, in keeping with the Gaza well being authorities.
Name for investigation
Mr. Türk mentioned he was appalled by the killing of the medical and humanitarian personnel.
“There have to be an impartial, immediate and thorough investigation into the killings, and people liable for any violation of worldwide legislation have to be held to account,” he mentioned.
He highlighted that there’s nowhere protected to go in Gaza amid ongoing bombardment. Moreover, half of the territory is now underneath necessary evacuation orders or has been declared a no-go zone.
On the similar time, Hamas and different Palestinian armed teams proceed to launch indiscriminate rockets from Gaza into Israel, in breach of worldwide humanitarian legislation.
“I’m additionally deeply involved in regards to the destiny and well-being of Israeli hostages nonetheless held in Gaza,” he mentioned.
Humanitarian support blockade
In the meantime, a month has handed since Israel imposed an entire blockade on very important humanitarian support and provides getting into Gaza, together with meals, water, electrical energy, gasoline and medicines.
“The blockade and siege imposed on Gaza quantity to collective punishment and might also quantity to using hunger as a way of struggle,” he mentioned.
The UN rights chief was alarmed by the inflammatory rhetoric by senior Israeli officers round seizing, annexing and dividing territory, and about transferring Palestinians exterior Gaza.
“This raises grave considerations in regards to the fee of worldwide crimes and runs counter to the basic precept of worldwide legislation in opposition to the acquisition of territory by drive,” he mentioned.
West Financial institution violence
Mr. Türk additionally addressed the “extraordinarily alarming” state of affairs within the West Financial institution, together with East Jerusalem, the place Israeli operations have killed a whole lot, destroyed total refugee camps and displaced over 40,000 Palestinians.
“Unlawful settlement growth continues unabated as some Israeli ministers advocate for Israeli sovereignty within the occupied territory,” he added.
The Excessive Commissioner urged the speedy restoration of the ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian entry all through Gaza.
He careworn that “nothing can justify the horrific assaults dedicated in opposition to Israeli communities on 7 October 2023. And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian folks.”
Excessive threat of atrocity crimes
Greater than 50,400 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, and greater than 114,000 others injured, for the reason that starting of the struggle, in keeping with the Palestinian Ministry of Well being.
Mr. Türk warned that there’s a excessive and rising threat that atrocity crimes are being dedicated within the occupied Palestinian territory.
He recalled that underneath the Geneva Conventions, States are obligated to behave when a severe violation of worldwide humanitarian legislation is dedicated.
“I urge all these with affect to make sure the safety of civilians as a matter of absolute precedence,” he mentioned.
No army answer
The Excessive Commissioner careworn the necessity to guarantee full accountability for all violations, and to launch all hostages instantly and unconditionally, in addition to all these arbitrarily detained.
“Israel should chorus from any acts amounting to forcible switch of Gaza’s inhabitants,” he said.
Mr. Türk mentioned the final 18 months of violence have made abundantly clear that there isn’t any army path out of the disaster.
The one method ahead is a political settlement, primarily based on two states dwelling facet by facet in equal dignity and rights, in step with UN resolutions and worldwide legislation, he concluded.