Delegates attend a meeting of the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 18, 2024. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Tuesday reiterated his shock at the disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law by all parties involved in the Gaza conflict. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
GENEVA, June 18 (Xinhua) -- United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Tuesday reiterated his shock at the disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law by all parties involved in the Gaza conflict.
Addressing the opening meeting of the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Turk said that more than 120,000 people in Gaza, primarily women and children, have been killed or injured since Oct. 7, 2023 due to the intensive Israeli offensives.
He emphasized that since Israel escalated its operations in Rafah in early May, nearly 1 million Palestinians have been forcibly displaced again, while aid delivery and humanitarian access have further deteriorated.
Turk also condemned the escalating violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where since October, 528 Palestinians, including 133 children, have been killed by Israeli security forces (ISF) and settlers. He also mentioned that 23 Israelis have been killed in the West Bank and Israel in clashes with or attacks by Palestinians, including eight members of ISF.
Furthermore, Turk said Israel's persistent airstrikes in Gaza have caused significant human sufferings and extensive destruction. He expressed his concern about the ongoing obstruction of humanitarian aid and the arbitrary detention of thousands of Palestinians by Israel, stressing the need for these practices to cease. Turk also urged Palestinian armed groups to release hostages.
Turk emphasized the importance of respecting the binding decisions of the UN Security Council and the International Court of Justice, underscoring the urgent need to end the occupation, ensure accountability and realize the internationally agreed two-state solution. ■
Delegates attend a meeting of the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 18, 2024. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Tuesday reiterated his shock at the disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law by all parties involved in the Gaza conflict. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
