U.N. Chief Prioritizes Ending Gaza War, Condemns Israeli Actions

The U.N. Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, stressed urgency in ending the year-long Gaza war, condemning Israel's disregard for international law. He highlighted deaths in Gaza and violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, urging countries to act. Turk also discussed global crises and criticized scapegoating migrants in Western politics.

The U.N. Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, emphasized the urgency of ending the nearly year-long war in Gaza, calling it a priority during a speech in Geneva. Turk condemned what he described as Israel's 'blatant disregard' for international law, highlighting nearly 41,000 Palestinian deaths since the conflict escalated last October.

Turk's address, marking the halfway point of his four-year term, spotlighted the crisis in Gaza, where escalating violence has claimed thousands of lives and worsened tensions in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. He urged nations to act decisively to prevent a full-blown regional conflict and uphold international legal norms.

Besides Gaza, Turk's speech covered a range of global crises, including situations in Sudan, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. He criticized the growing use of the death penalty and regressions in gender equality, notably in Afghanistan. He also warned Western politicians against scapegoating migrants, a move he says could incite violence.

(With inputs from agencies.)