UN Human Rights Chief Demands Ceasefire as Israel Plans Occupation of Gaza

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has made an urgent appeal for Israel to immediately halt its planned military operation to occupy the city of Gaza, announced earlier on Friday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Turk interprets Netanyahu's initiative as a move towards complete military domination of the Gaza Strip and has condemned it as a violation of the International Court of Justice's ruling, which demands an end to Israel's occupation policies. Turk cautioned that an occupation of Gaza would inevitably lead to mass forced displacements, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as approximately 800,000 Palestinians currently reside in the city, many of whom have been displaced from elsewhere in the enclave. He stressed that this course of action would result in further killings, immense suffering, widespread destruction, and heinous crimes against civilians. In the wake of the Israeli Security Cabinet's approval of the operation after extensive discussions, including dissent from high-ranking military officials, concerns have risen about the plan's implications. It seeks to occupy Gaza's capital and force the displacement of up to a million civilians, raising alarms over the potential fallout. Turk has called for an immediate end to the conflict in Gaza, urging both Israelis and Palestinians to find a path toward peaceful coexistence. He insisted that Israel should refocus its efforts on protecting civilian lives and facilitating unhindered access to humanitarian aid. In addition, he called for the unconditional release of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian armed groups and the release of Palestinians who have been arbitrarily detained by Israeli authorities. On Thursday, Netanyahu articulated his strategy in an interview with Fox News, stating that while he intends to take control of Gaza, the goal is to eventually hand it over to a civil government. He emphasized that Israel does not seek to govern the area directly, which raises questions about the future governance of the enclave. As tensions escalate, the conflict shows no signs of abating, with both local and international calls for a ceasefire becoming increasingly urgent. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical, and the need for immediate and effective action is paramount. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2