GENEVA: The UN human rights chief expressed deep concern on Thursday over the tragic milestone of 40,000 Palestinian deaths reported in Gaza, following Israel’s 10-month-long offensive. The official accused the Israeli military of violating international laws of war. Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, attributed the rising death toll in Gaza to the actions of Israel.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, as of Thursday, the conflict had claimed at least 40,005 lives, with 92,401 others wounded.
“This marks a dark day for the world,” Turk stated. “The majority of those killed are women and children. This dire situation stems largely from repeated failures by the Israeli Defense Forces to adhere to the laws of war,” he added.
Turk emphasized the shocking level of destruction caused by the Israeli military to homes, hospitals, schools, and places of worship. His office has documented “serious violations” of international humanitarian law by both the Israeli military and Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas.
He reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire and urged the release of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza, as well as Palestinians “arbitrarily detained.” Ceasefire negotiations resumed in Qatar on Thursday.
The Gaza conflict, now over 10 months old, has resulted in a devastating human toll, with at least 40,005 deaths in the besieged Palestinian territory. Additionally, Israeli soldiers and settlers’ attacks in the occupied West Bank have resulted in the deaths of at least 632 Palestinians, according to data from the health ministry in Ramallah.
Israeli attacks since October have also killed 570 people in Lebanon. Hezbollah has reported the loss of more than 370 of its fighters, with other groups in Lebanon, including Hamas and the Hezbollah-allied Amal movement, also suffering casualties.
The cross-border conflict has displaced tens of thousands in southern Lebanon and northern Israel. Additionally, at least 25 Hezbollah fighters have been killed in Israeli strikes in Syria, with seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards killed in a strike on Damascus in April.
