Gaza, The United Nations Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, has expressed deep concern over the increasing number of civilians, including a significant proportion of women and children, being pushed towards the border with Egypt due to escalating hostilities in Gaza. This situation has been exacerbated by continuous Israeli airstrikes, naval shelling, tank fire, sniper attacks, and the indiscriminate firing of rockets by Palestinian armed groups into Israel.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Türk has made an urgent plea for all parties involved to respect the international community’s calls for a sustainable ceasefire on human rights and humanitarian grounds. He emphasized that the demand for a ceasefire is intensifying daily and must be urgently addressed.
The High Commissioner reported alarming statistics showing the extent of the crisis: since October 7, 2023, more than 19,400 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have been killed, with several thousand more believed to be buried under rubble. He highlighted the severe impact of strikes on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and religious facilities, which not only cause deaths and injuries but also displace internally displaced persons (IDPs) repeatedly.
Türk underscored the importance of investigating allegations of breaches of the laws of war and holding those responsible accountable. He pointed out the contradictory and confusing nature of evacuation orders issued by Israeli Forces, leading to Palestinians being forced into increasingly confined spaces near the Gaza-Egyptian border, with military operations encroaching dangerously close.
The situation in Rafah has become critical, with over one million people, nearly half of Gaza’s population, facing dire living conditions, further worsened by the onset of winter. Türk noted that the limited humanitarian relief entering from Egypt and the recent opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing are insufficient for the needs of the besieged population. He described the desperate situation of thousands of people gathering at aid distribution centers, with some forcibly stopping trucks to obtain food.
Civilians in Northern Gaza are in an especially dire situation, completely cut off from relief efforts and living in fear amid constant bombing, tank patrols, and the threat of snipers. Türk emphasized that these civilians are trapped in what he described as a “living hell.”
In conclusion, the High Commissioner called for the international community to act decisively. He urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the release of hostages and those arbitrarily detained, and support for a credible political process leading to a two-State solution.