UN Human Rights Chief: Perpetrators of Violations in Gaza Must be Held Accountable

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, announced today that those responsible for serious human rights violations in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, must be held accountable. Turk stated in a report on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, "The entrenched impunity that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has reported on for several years cannot continue." He mentioned that this impunity has led to violations that could amount to international crimes. Turk urged all parties to "end impunity and conduct prompt, independent, impartial, comprehensive, effective, and transparent investigations" into the alleged crimes under international law. He also called on these parties to reach a ceasefire agreement for humanitarian and human rights reasons, ensuring full respect for international law and accountability for violators and transgressors. Last month, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and to make greater efforts to assist civilians, without going as far as ordering the ceasefire requested by South Africa, which filed the lawsuit. In a separate lawsuit, South Africa urged the court on Tuesday to issue a non-binding legal opinion that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal, stating that this would assist efforts to reach a settlement.