AFP
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are living in "utter, deepening horror", the UN human rights chief said Wednesday, as he pleaded for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Volker Turk said there was a high risk of atrocity crimes being committed in such "catastrophic" humanitarian circumstances."
"Civilians in Gaza continue to be relentlessly bombarded by Israel and collectively punished -- suffering death, siege, destruction and deprivation of the most essential human needs such as food, water, lifesaving medical supplies and other essentials on a massive scale," he told a press conference.
"Palestinians in Gaza are living in utter, deepening horror." He said 1.9 million of the Palestinian enclave's 2.2 million people had been displaced and were being pushed into "ever-diminishing and extremely overcrowded places in southern Gaza, in unsanitary and unhealthy conditions".
"The catastrophic situation we see unfolding in the Gaza Strip was entirely foreseeable and preventable. "In these circumstances, there is a heightened risk of atrocity crimes," the United Nations high commissioner for human rights said.
"As an immediate step, I call for an urgent cessation of hostilities and the release of all hostages, he said, adding: you need to come back to your senses".
Turk said he was gravely concerned by "dehumanising and inciteful statements" made by current and former Israeli officials, as well as Hamas figures.
(Image source: Reuters)
