UN Human Rights Chief Says International Society Failed To Protect Gazans

UN Human Rights Chief Volker T\"urk. (Twitter/@volker_turk)

JAKARTA - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (HAM) Volker Törk stated that the international community failed to protect the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and disappointed.

Turk stressed that Israel is legally required to comply with the decision of the International Court, stop genocide, punish those who incite it, and ensure adequate assistance to Gaza.

This statement was delivered in a speech opening the 60th hearing of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday.

He explained that the mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza by Israel, which caused unexpected suffering and destruction, prevented the distribution of adequate life-saving aid, caused hunger among civilians, and killed journalists, shocked the world's conscience.

"I am surprised by the open use of genocide rhetoric by high-level Israeli officials," Turk said, quoted by WAFA September 9.

T\"urk further stressed that the region longs for peace, and the Gaza Strip has been the grave of Israeli massacres.

Turk said "further militarization, occupation, annexation, and oppression will only trigger more violence, revenge, and terrorism."

"The international community is not carrying out its duties. We fail to protect the Gaza people. Where are the decisive steps to prevent genocide? Why do countries not do more to prevent terrible crimes? Countries must stop the flow of weapons that may violate the law of war against Israel," Turk explained.

T\"urk stressed the importance of increasing pressure to reach a ceasefire, releasing detainees and arbitrarily detained persons, and distributing adequate humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.