NEW YORK (Palestine Foundation Information Center)The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, stressed the need to resume humanitarian aid delivery to the Gaza Strip as soon as possible.
Türk explained in his global report, which he submitted to the Human Rights Council on Monday, that “Israeli attacks have torn apart the social and physical fabric” of the Strip.
The UN rights chief also insisted that the fragile ceasefire holds in Gaza “and becomes the basis for peace”.
Türk explained that the Gaza had been “razed” by constant Israeli bombardment.
“Any solution to the cycles of violence must be rooted in human rights, including the right to self-determination, the rule of law and accountability.”
“All hostages must be freed; all those detained arbitrarily must be released; and humanitarian aid into Gaza must resume immediately.”
Reflecting deep concerns by humanitarians and the human rights community about Israeli military raids on Palestinian settlements in the West Bank, the UN High Commissioner insisted that Israel’s “unilateral actions and threats of annexation in the West Bank, in violation of international law, must stop”.
Türk also condemned the use of “military weapons and tactics, including tanks and airstrikes, against Palestinians”.
Equally worrying was “the destruction and emptying of refugee camps, the expansion of illegal settlements, the severe restrictions on movement and the displacement of tens of thousands of people”.
