The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for Israel to immediately halt its plan to assert full military control over the occupied Gaza Strip.
In a statement issued on Friday, Türk said that the plan, which was adopted overnight by Israel’s cabinet, directly contradicts the ruling of the International Court of Justice. That decision had urged Israel to end its occupation of Gaza as soon as possible and to pursue a two-state solution while respecting the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
“This new escalation will likely bring even more mass displacement, killings, unbearable suffering, irrational destruction, and heinous crimes,” said the UN official.
Volker Türk urged the Israeli government to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza “without obstruction” in order to save civilian lives, rather than intensifying the conflict.
He also called on Palestinian armed groups to “immediately and unconditionally” release all hostages taken during the Hamas-led attack on Israeli territory on 7 October 2023. In addition, he demanded that Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel be released without delay.
The Gaza control plan, announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was also strongly criticised by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as a “mistake”.
“The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its assault on Gaza is wrong, and we urge them to reconsider it immediately,” Starmer said in a statement. “It will do nothing to end the conflict or secure the release of hostages. It will only lead to more bloodshed.”
Starmer emphasised the need for a ceasefire, expanded humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages. He reiterated that the UK, together with its allies, continues to work toward a long-term peace plan based on a two-state solution.
“Our message is clear: a diplomatic solution is possible, but both sides must turn away from the path of destruction,” said Starmer. He added that Hamas “can have no role in the future of Gaza” and must be disarmed.
Similar sentiments were echoed by UK Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, who said the decision posed a risk of worsening an already “intolerable and appalling” situation. “We believe this is the wrong decision and hope the Israeli government reconsiders it,” she told Times Radio.
Source: Reuters
Feature photo source: CBS 42
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