The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, stated on Wednesday that "Israel and Hamas have committed war crimes in the conflict that erupted a little over a month ago." Speaking at the Rafah crossing in Egypt, bordering Gaza, he said, "The atrocities committed by armed Palestinian groups on October 7 were horrific and constituted war crimes, as well as the ongoing detention of hostages."
He added that "Israel's collective punishment of Palestinian civilians also counts as a war crime, as does the illegal forced evacuation of civilians." Turk expressed that the humanitarian aid being delivered through the Rafah crossing was "inadequate and outrageously minimal." He called on both parties to "agree to an immediate ceasefire," clarifying that "there are three human rights imperatives: sufficient humanitarian aid to Gaza, the release of detainees, and the enforcement of a permanent end to the occupation."
Turk concluded, "We have slipped to the brink of catastrophe, and this cannot continue." He further stated, "The actions of one side do not absolve the actions of the other."
