UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on Thursday (29) that war crimes were committed by all parties in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, calling for them to be investigated and those responsible to be held accountable. .
“Clear violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including war crimes and possibly other crimes under international law, have been committed by all parties,” Turk told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
“It is time – it is past time – for peace, investigation and responsibility,” he added.
Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and captured 253 hostages in an attack on Israel on October 7, according to Israeli records.
The attack provoked an Israeli offensive into the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, which Israel says is aimed at rescuing the remaining hostages and eradicating Hamas.
Health authorities in Gaza say more than 30,000 people have been confirmed dead during the offensive.
Turk, who was presenting a report on the human rights situation in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, said his office had recorded “many incidents that could be considered war crimes by Israeli forces.”
He added that there are also indications that Israeli forces have engaged in “indiscriminate or disproportionate targeting,” in violation of international law.
Turk declared that Palestinian armed groups launching indiscriminate projectiles into southern Israel and holding hostages also violate international humanitarian law.
Israel says it is doing everything it can to minimize harm to civilians.
In a speech that drew applause from many attendees at the UN Human Rights Council, Palestinian Ambassador Ibrahim Khraishi said: “We condemn what happened on October 7 and we do so strongly, but no one is really condemning the fact that women, children and elderly people have been killed.”
Elan Tiv, daughter of former hostage Aviva Siegel, who attended Turk's speech along with her mother, said those who applauded the Palestinian intervention “should be ashamed” of themselves.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
