UN Human Rights Chief Supports Gaza Conflict Armistice Agreement Proposed By The United States

Israeli Tanks in Gaza. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - Volker Turk's United Nations Human Rights Chief on Tuesday expressed his support for the proposed ceasefire of the Gaza conflict proposed by the United States, describing the situation in the Palestinian enclave as "very severe".

Turk said norms and standards on war behavior had been brutally violated in Gaza. Thus, any initiative that can lead to an end to hostilities is welcomed.

"We can only hope that it is achieved because of the humanitarian situation. We don't even know how to describe it anymore. It's very urgent. It's very severe," Turk told a news conference after a two-day visit to Malaysia.

Last week, President Joe Biden on Friday described what he described as a three-phase proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages, saying "it's time this war ended" and received a positive initial reaction from Hamas.

The first phase involved a six-week ceasefire, when Israeli troops will withdraw from "all populated territory" in Gaza, several hostages - including the elderly and women - will be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, Palestinian civilians can return to their homes in Gaza and 600 trucks a day will bring humanitarian aid to the destroyed enclave.

In this phase, Hamas and Israel will negotiate a permanent ceasefire that President Biden says will take place "as long as Hamas fulfills its commitments."

If negotiations last more than six weeks, a temporary ceasefire will be extended, while negotiations continue.

In the second phase, President Biden said there would be an exchange for all the surviving hostages, including the male army, while Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire would begin.

The third stage will include a grand reconstruction plan for Gaza and the return of the hostages' "last remnants" to their families.

"It's time for this war to end and the next day it starts," President Biden said.

Hamas, which President Biden said received a proposal from Qatar, released a positive response statement.

Hamas said it was ready to engage "positively and constructively" with any proposals based on a permanent ceasefire, Israeli troop withdrawals, Gaza reconstruction, the return of those displaced, and the "real" prisoner swap deal if Israel "clearly announced its commitment to the deal".

On Monday, the United States said it wanted nine of the 15 UN Security Council member states to adopt a resolution in favor of a proposal outlined by President Biden to end fighting between Israeli troops and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

A resolution requires at least nine votes in favor and no veto by permanent members consisting of the US, France, Britain, China and Russia to pass.