UN Human Rights Chief Calls for Urgent Diplomatic Negotiations to End Israeli-Iranian Attacks

Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, on Monday called for a reduction in military escalation between Israel and Iran, stressing the need for urgent diplomatic negotiations to put an end to these attacks and find a path forward. Turk expressed deep concern over the intensification of wars globally, and warned against the continuation of relentless aggression on Gaza and Israeli occupation's use of food as a weapon of war. He also condemned the methods and means employed by Israeli occupation forces in the war, which are causing unimaginable suffering to Palestinians in Gaza.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 55,000 people have been killed, including thousands of children, in Gaza, according to data from the Gaza Ministry of Health.
• Turk condemned the use of food as a weapon of war by Israeli occupation forces and their obstruction of life-saving aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
• He called for immediate impartial investigations into deadly attacks targeting civilians attempting to reach food distribution centers.
• Turk also voiced concern over the inhumane rhetoric from senior Israeli occupation officials, which evokes the darkest crimes.
• He stressed that a lasting peace can only be achieved through an immediate ceasefire leading to a two-state solution with Gaza being an inseparable part of the Palestinian State.
• Turk further condemned daily attacks by Israeli occupation forces and settlers in the West Bank, resulting in killings, arrests, and forced displacement of Palestinians.

Statistics:

• 55,000 people killed, including thousands of children, in Gaza, according to data from the Gaza Ministry of Health.
• 625 human rights defenders and journalists were killed or disappeared in 2024, an average of one every 14 hours.
• Nearly three-quarters of OHCHR's partner organizations expect to lose over 40 percent of their funding due to US funding cuts.

Sources:

• (Kuwait News Agency) "UN Human Rights Chief Calls for Urgent Diplomatic Negotiations to End Israeli-Iranian Attacks"
• (No date or source listed for the report by Volker Turk on the state of human rights worldwide)