His comments on Friday followed the Israeli security cabinet’s approval of a proposal for full-scale military control of the enclave, which has already endured months of conflict.
“A complete military takeover of the occupied Gaza Strip must be immediately halted,” Türk said, warning that such a move would be in breach of international law. He referred to a ruling by the International Court of Justice which calls on Israel to end its occupation and pursue a two-State solution that guarantees Palestinians the right to self-determination.
Türk cautioned that any escalation between Israel and Hamas would bring “more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction and atrocity crimes”.
Instead of intensifying the conflict, Türk urged Israel to focus its efforts on protecting civilians by enabling the “full, unfettered flow of humanitarian aid” into Gaza.
He also renewed calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Palestinian armed groups, and for Israel to free Palestinians arbitrarily detained.
“The war in Gaza must end now. And Israelis and Palestinians must be allowed to live side by side in peace,” he said.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
