The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called this Friday for justice, accountability and reparations for the victims of atrocities in the Gaza conflict.
Speaking to the press from Jordan, the representative called for stopping the violence, ensuring the safety of humanitarian workers and safe access to ensure that humanitarian assistance can reach all those in need.
In addition, he insisted that people in the enclave need food, drinking water, medical care and shelter.
Turk reiterated his call for the hostages to be released and to stop the “indiscriminate firing of rockets against Israel” by Palestinian armed groups.
On a day filled with fresh reports of another attack on Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital, the High Commissioner called for a humanitarian ceasefire to allow vital aid to reach Gaza and put a lasting end to the nightmare for those trapped in the enclave.
The courtyard of the hospital, where thousands of displaced Palestinians sought refuge, was hit by Israeli fire.
“There must be justice, accountability and reparation for the victims of these heinous crimes,” emphasized Türk.
The total siege, which has now lasted more than a month, is making it an ordeal for Gazans to meet their basic needs and, frankly, survive, the High Commissioner said, calling for an end to all forms of collective punishment. Since deliveries resumed on October 21, 821 aid trucks have been able to enter the Gaza Strip from Egypt via the Rafah border crossing.
But supplies are insufficient as needs grow from a population that already relied on an average of 500 trucks a day before the conflict.