UN human rights chief calls for protection of civilians in Gaza as death toll hits 10,800
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk has again warned of serious violations, amounting to war crimes as more people confirmed dead in the Israeli retaliatory offensives on Gaza
Volker Türk called on Israel and Hamas to pave the way for peace to prevail and to stop punishing civilians.
He said, “Any use by Palestinian armed groups of civilians and civilian objects to shield themselves from attack is in contravention of the laws of war. But such contact by Palestinian armed groups does not absolve Israel of its obligation to ensure civilians are spared, that the principles of distinction, precaution in attack, and proportionality are respected.”
Türk noted that the “atrocious attacks by Hamas against Israel on 7 October should outrage each and every one of us”.
“The hostages must be released, the rockets attacks must stop.
“But it is clear that enduring peace and security cannot be delivered by the exercise of fury and pain against people who have no responsibility for the crimes that were committed.”
Recall that Israel began offensives on Gaza after the Hamas attacks on 7 October, killed about 1,400 people and more than 200 taken hostage.
So far over 10,800 people have been killed in Gaza since, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, including more than 4,400 children.
