The United Nations rights chief, Volker Turk, has strongly condemned Israel’s con”UN rights chief Volker Turk condemns Israel‘s actions in Gaza, describing its means and methods of warfare as ‘inflicting horrifying, unconscionable suffering on Palestinians’ amid escalating conflict in the besieged Gaza Strip, where deadly attacks continue unabated amid the country’s exchange of missile attacks with regional rival Iran. Turk described Israel’s “means and methods of warfare” as “inflicting horrifying, unconscionable suffering on Palestinians in Gaza”. The Gaza Strip has witnessed over 19 months of Israeli attacks, resulting in at least 55,362 deaths, including thousands of children.
According to medical sources, at least 20 Palestinians were killed across Gaza on Monday, including 15 aid seekers near distribution points in Rafah operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Turk emphasized that “Israel has weaponized food and blocked lifesaving aid” and urged “immediate, impartial investigations into deadly attacks on desperate civilians to reach food distribution centres”. He also expressed concern over “disturbing, dehumanizing rhetoric from senior Israeli government officials” that is reminiscent of the gravest of crimes.
The current aid distribution mechanism has caused “chaos and despair” among Palestinians, with many forced to choose between staying in their homes and starving or risking their lives to obtain a bag of flour. Since the GHF began operations, at least 274 people have been killed and over 2,000 wounded near aid distribution sites. The UN and major humanitarian groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF, citing concerns that it prioritizes Israeli military objectives over humanitarian needs.
In a separate development, Turk expressed deep concern over the fighting between Israel and Iran, calling on both countries to engage in “urgent diplomatic negotiations to end these attacks and find a way forward”. The UN high commissioner for human rights emphasized the need for full respect of international law by both sides, particularly the protection of civilians in densely populated areas.