On Monday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, expressed deep concern over the “genocidal rhetoric” being utilized by Israeli officials regarding Gaza. He warned that the region has become a “graveyard” and called for decisive international action to “end the massacre.”
During the opening of the sixtieth session of the UN Human Rights Council, Turk strongly condemned the “mass killings” perpetrated by Israel in Gaza.
He stated, “The mass killings of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, the immense suffering caused, the widespread destruction, the blockade preventing sufficient aid from entering to save lives, the resulting starvation of civilians, and the killing of journalists, UN staff, and NGO workers—all these actions are shocking the conscience of the world.”
He added, “The Gaza Strip has effectively turned into a graveyard.”
Furthermore, he expressed disbelief at the public discourse of genocide and the dehumanization of Palestinians coming from senior Israeli officials.
Turk remarked that nearly two years since the conflict reignited following Hamas’s deadly assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, the region yearns for peace.
His spokesperson, Ravina Shamdasani, noted that “senior Israeli officials are making numerous shocking and inhumane statements,” referencing comments made by Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman, who suggested that “the only solution for Gaza is to empty it of its inhabitants.”
Shamdasani also cited remarks from far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, who expressed a desire to implement what former President Donald Trump had proposed: “opening the gates of hell in Gaza and encouraging residents to migrate.”
These comments followed the Israeli military’s destruction of a residential tower in Gaza on Sunday, marking the third such incident in two days, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that the military is intensifying its assault on the city.
The United Nations estimates that one million individuals remain in Gaza City and its surroundings, having officially declared a famine last month. They warned of an impending “catastrophe” should the Israeli offensive continue.
Turk stated, “Further military operations, occupation, annexation, and repression will only lead to more violence, revenge, and intimidation.”
He emphasized that Israel is legally obligated to follow the directives set forth by the International Court of Justice to prevent acts of genocide and to punish incitement, as well as to ensure adequate aid reaches Palestinians in Gaza.
The High Commissioner noted that the international community is “failing in its duties. We are letting the people of Gaza down.”
He questioned, “Where are the decisive actions to prevent genocide?” urging nations to enhance their efforts “to avoid brutal crimes…they must stop supplying arms to Israel, which risks violating the laws of war.” He concluded, “We need to act now to end this massacre.”
Israel, much like the United States, withdrew from the Human Rights Council shortly after Donald Trump’s second term began and was absent when Turk presented his report, but reacted vehemently.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Daniel Meron, claimed in a statement on social media that Turk is “driven by an anti-Israel campaign that is consuming his office.” He further expressed, “There is no place for facts and complexities in his office,” accusing Turk of “continuing to spread defamatory rhetoric that undermines the security of the Jewish state.”