UN rights head warns all parties to Gaza crisis has committed war crimes

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 29th Feb. According to the UN human rights official, Volker Türk on Wednesday stated that all parties to the Gaza conflict have been responsible for “clear violations of international humanitarian law including possible war crimes”.

Mr. Türk condemned the Hamas-led massacres in Israel on 7 October that left some 1,200 butchered and called for the immediate release of all Israeli hostages.

OHCHR’s latest report on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory was delivered to the Human Rights Council.

He underscored how Israel’s “massive military response” had caused “unprecedented destruction and suffering” which had led to the dire humanitarian crisis being endured by Gazans now facing imminent famine.

“Clear violations of international humanitarian law, including possible war crimes, have been committed by all parties,” the report stated.

Mr. Turk called for further investigations to establish accountability and to overcome “entrenched impunity”.

The report urged Palestinian armed groups in Gaza “to ensure the humane treatment and immediate release of all hostages”, to stop firing “indiscriminate projectiles” at Israel and to pull out fighters from buildings used by Hamas.

It also called for Israel to “immediately end all practices of collective punishment” of Gazans including the “complete siege” and ensure “immediate access to humanitarian and commercial goods throughout Gaza, commensurate with the immense humanitarian needs”.

Mr. Türk urged Israelis, the return of all Palestinians uprooted from their homes by the war, along with compliance with international humanitarian law by ending the use of explosive weapons “with wide area effects” in built-up areas.

He added that the protection must be provided for hospitals and other civilian infrastructure that are essential for people’s survival, the report stated.