Gaza - New York: Europe and the Arabs
“The brutal resumption of hostilities in Gaza and their horrific impact on civilians,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said, “once again underscores the need to stop the violence and find a political solution based on the only long-term basis of full respect for the human rights of Palestinians and Israelis.” According to a publication on the United Nations website
High Commissioner Volker Türk called for silencing the weapons and returning to dialogue, and said that the solution does not lie in more violence, which will not achieve peace or security. He expressed deep concern that negotiations to continue the humanitarian truce had reached a dead end.
He said that hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in Israeli bombing since the resumption of hostilities on Friday, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. He pointed out that the entry of aid through the Rafah crossing was completely stopped on Friday and was subject to severe restrictions on Saturday.
The High Commissioner added: “As a result of Israel’s hostile operations and its orders for residents to leave the north and parts of the south, hundreds of thousands of people are confined to a shrinking area of southern Gaza without adequate hygiene conditions or access to sufficient food, water and health supplies, even with Bombs fall around them."
Turk reiterated: “There is no safe place in Gaza.” He added that international humanitarian law and human rights law clearly stipulate that the protection of civilians comes first, and the necessity of facilitating the urgent and unhindered arrival of humanitarian aid by all possible means to alleviate the suffering of civilians.
Volker Türk highlighted the situation of hundreds of thousands of people in northern Gaza who are at risk of renewed bombing and deprived of food and other basic materials. He added: "Given this horrific situation and the orders to move to the south, people are - in effect - being forced to leave in what appears to be an attempt to empty northern Gaza of Palestinians."
The High Commissioner said: “The world has witnessed, week after week, horror since the beginning of this latest crisis. This has been characterized by grave concerns related to the deliberate killing of civilians, the launching of indiscriminate rockets, indiscriminate attacks using explosive weapons with wide-ranging effects in populated areas, and forms of collective punishment. "Obstructing humanitarian relief, and taking hostages. All of this is prohibited under international law."
The UN official stressed the need to fully investigate serious allegations regarding serious violations of international law, and hold those responsible accountable.

“When national authorities prove unwilling or unable to conduct or prosecute such investigations, an international investigation will be necessary,” he said.

He stressed the need for UN member states to do everything in their power to ensure that parties comply with their obligations under international law and to prevent the commission of international crimes.

He concluded his statement by saying: "It is time to change course. Those who choose to violate international law realize that accountability will occur. No one is above the law."