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The United Nations' top human rights official sharply criticized Israel's military conduct in Gaza on Tuesday, characterizing the Palestinian territory's situation as "catastrophic" and demanding urgent international action.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk told Austria's public broadcaster Ö1 that Israel's recent operations in Gaza "no longer have anything to do with respect for fundamental principles of humanity."
The commissioner called for increased diplomatic pressure on Israeli leadership, stating, "It is very clear that we must talk to the current Israeli government very, very strongly and exert pressure to ensure that these serious violations of international law do not occur."
Turk highlighted the widespread displacement of Gaza's civilian population, criticizing Israel's military zone designations that have rendered much of the territory off-limits to residents.
"About 80% of the territory of the Gaza Strip is now military areas where people are not allowed to stay," Turk said. "There are no more words to describe it."
The commissioner attributed the humanitarian crisis to ongoing Israeli bombardments, neighborhood destruction, and restrictions on aid delivery, declaring, "We have to stop this madness."
The comments build upon accusations Turk made during a May 16 Geneva news conference, where he suggested Israeli policies constituted ethnic cleansing.
"It looks like a push for a permanent population transfer in Gaza that disregards international law and amounts to ethnic cleansing," he said at that earlier briefing.
Israeli officials have rejected ethnic cleansing allegations, maintaining their military actions respond to security threats from Hamas and other militant organizations in Gaza.
The conflict has generated widespread displacement and mounting international concern, with humanitarian organizations warning of deteriorating conditions for trapped civilians.
Israeli forces have continued their offensive in Gaza since October 2023, with Palestinian health authorities reporting nearly 54,000 deaths, predominantly women and children, according to the information provided.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Gaza operations.
Israel also faces genocide allegations at the ICC over its conduct toward Gaza civilians.
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