Human Rights Council: Gaza Ceasefire Must Hold, Türk Insists
Geneva – 2025-02-26 (12:00 GMT) – The United Nations Human Rights Council has received a stark warning from High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk regarding the fragility of the Gaza ceasefire and the urgent need to ensure its permanence. In a strongly worded address delivered earlier today in Geneva, Türk stressed that the current lull in hostilities is a crucial opportunity to address the underlying causes of the conflict and prevent a further descent into violence.
Türk’s address comes amidst growing international concern over reported breaches of the ceasefire agreement, persistent humanitarian challenges in Gaza, and the lack of progress on addressing fundamental issues such as freedom of movement, accountability for alleged war crimes, and the future status of the territory.
“The ceasefire in Gaza, while a welcome respite from the devastating violence, remains precarious,” Türk stated. “It is not simply a matter of stopping the bombs and the bullets. A durable peace requires addressing the root causes of the conflict, ensuring accountability for violations of international law, and guaranteeing the fundamental human rights of all Palestinians and Israelis.”
Specific Concerns Highlighted by Türk:
- Ceasefire Violations and Ongoing Tensions: Türk expressed deep concern over reported incidents of rocket fire from Gaza and retaliatory actions by Israeli forces, even after the official ceasefire took effect. He urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and adhere to the terms of the agreement, emphasizing that even minor violations risk escalating into a full-blown conflict.
- Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: Türk painted a grim picture of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, highlighting the severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and electricity. He called for unimpeded humanitarian access to the territory and urged the international community to significantly increase its support for the Palestinian population. The High Commissioner also emphasized the need for the prompt and effective reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and homes.
- Accountability for War Crimes: Türk reiterated his call for independent and impartial investigations into alleged violations of international humanitarian law committed by all parties during the recent hostilities. He stressed that accountability is crucial to prevent future abuses and to ensure justice for victims. This includes investigating potential war crimes committed by both Hamas and the Israeli Defense Forces.
- Freedom of Movement and Closure Policy: Türk criticized the ongoing restrictions on the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza, calling the closure policy unsustainable and detrimental to the economic and social well-being of the Palestinian population. He urged Israel to lift the blockade and allow for the free flow of goods and people, subject to legitimate security concerns. He also highlighted the need for secure passage between Gaza and the West Bank.
- The Two-State Solution: Türk reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to a two-state solution, based on relevant UN resolutions, as the only viable path to a lasting peace. He urged both Israelis and Palestinians to return to meaningful negotiations and to refrain from actions that undermine the prospects for a negotiated settlement. He specifically mentioned the expansion of settlements in the West Bank as a significant obstacle to peace.
International Community’s Role:
Türk called upon the international community to play a more active and constructive role in supporting the ceasefire and promoting a lasting peace. He urged member states to:
- Provide substantial humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population in Gaza.
- Support the efforts of the UN and other organizations working to address the underlying causes of the conflict.
- Use their influence to encourage all parties to adhere to the ceasefire and to engage in meaningful negotiations.
- Support independent and impartial investigations into alleged war crimes.
- Advocate for the lifting of the Gaza blockade and for the free movement of people and goods.
Looking Ahead:
The High Commissioner concluded his address by emphasizing that the future of Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict hinges on the ability of all parties to prioritize peace and respect for human rights. He warned that a failure to address the underlying causes of the conflict will inevitably lead to further cycles of violence and suffering. He pledged the continued support of the UN Human Rights Office to the efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region.
The Human Rights Council is scheduled to debate the situation in Gaza later this week, with several resolutions expected to be considered. The debate will likely focus on the implementation of the ceasefire, the humanitarian situation, and the prospects for a resumption of peace negotiations. The international community will be closely watching to see whether the Council can forge a consensus on how to move forward and prevent a further deterioration of the situation in Gaza.
Human Rights Council: Gaza ceasefire must hold, Türk insists
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