The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, considers the West Bank to be at greatest risk from wildfires. In a speech to UN member states, Türk called for an end to the occupation of the Palestinian territories. The Palestinians – just like Israel – have the right to self-determination.
“This is no longer about early warnings,” Türk said in Geneva on Thursday. “I am sounding the utmost alarm bells about the occupied West Bank.” The risk of major expansion in the Middle East is also high, Türk said.
Türk was not allowed to enter the Gaza Strip
Türk described the humanitarian catastrophe in the closed Gaza Strip, which he learned about during a visit to Egypt and Jordan and in conversations with humanitarian workers last week. Israel has not yet granted his request for visits to Israel and the Gaza Strip.
Türk condemned the use of civilians as weapons in the Gaza war. “It is clear that some on both sides view the killing of civilians as acceptable collateral damage or as a deliberate and useful weapon of war,” he said. “This is a humanitarian and human rights disaster. It represents a collapse of the most basic respect for human values.”
Türk condemned the October 7 attacks on Israel by terrorists from the Gaza Strip and the kidnapping of hostages. He criticized Israel’s continued attacks on the Gaza Strip since then, which authorities say have killed more than 11,000 people in the Gaza Strip.
Israel rejects criticism
The Israeli ambassador rejected Türk’s criticism of Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip. It is unacceptable that terrorists hiding in schools, hospitals or homes should not be attacked. There is no principle in international humanitarian law that states that terrorists who are among civilians cannot be attacked. On the other hand, operations to prevent further attacks are certainly permitted.
The ambassador of the Palestinian Territories accused Israel of lying about the October 7 terrorist attacks. Palestinians have been fighting for their rights for 75 years. He accused Israel of not fighting the Palestinian organization Hamas, but civilians. “Okay, fight Hamas, but don’t kill our children and women,” he said, visibly upset.
Source: Krone
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