The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
A fragile ceasefire is allowing the people of Gaza to breathe, Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees to be released, and lifesaving humanitarian aid to be delivered.
“At this tenuous moment, the world must ask itself how to resolve this decades old conflict and stop the cycle of violence. Any plans for a better future must deal with the past, so accountability and justice for violations are crucial,” Türk said.
“In Gaza, they have been subjected to blockades amounting to collective punishment. In the West Bank, illegal settlements and violence have been growing for decades, in violation of international law, with a significant increase over the past three years. Most of these violations have gone unpunished,” he said.
“There is absolutely no justification for the horrific attacks committed on 7 October 2023 when Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups brutally assaulted Israeli communities, killed civilians, and took over 250 hostages, and I have repeatedly condemned these acts,” Türk said.
“And nothing justifies the appalling manner in which Israel has conducted its military operations in Gaza, which consistently breached fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 48,000 people, most of whom are women and children, have been killed. Over 35,000 children have lost one or both parents. More than 1,054 medical personnel have been killed, with many others injured or detained by Israeli Forces. At least 277 United Nations staff have been killed, as well as a reported 200 journalists and media workers,” Türk said.
“As my Office and others have documented, Israel’s means and methods of warfare have caused staggering levels of casualties and destruction, raising concerns over the commission of war crimes and other possible atrocity crimes,” he added.
In the West Bank, Israel has ramped up its use of unnecessary and disproportionate force against Palestinians, has destroyed refugee camps, and displaced tens of thousands of people. In the northern West Bank, many are now in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. Israel has severely restricted movement, arrested thousands and subjected them to torture and ill-treatment, and has undertaken other practices that could constitute collective punishment. The Palestinian Authority is also arbitrarily detaining, torturing, and ill-treating many detainees, including some it perceives as political opponents.
There has been an unprecedented disregard for the principles of international humanitarian law in the conduct of hostilities in Gaza and Israel since October 2023.
There have been a limited number of investigations and indictments by the Israeli authorities, for example, for abuse of detainees, “However, there are serious doubts about the capacity and will of the Israeli justice system to deliver full accountability, in line with international standards, notably in relation to the unlawful killing of Palestinians in Gaza or in the West Bank,” he said.
According to the report, there are serious doubts about the capacity and will of the Israeli justice system to ensure comprehensive accountability, in line with international standards of impartiality, independence, promptness, and effectiveness.
“Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups have taken, held, and tortured hostages in Gaza, and have indiscriminately fired projectiles into Israeli territory, amounting to war crimes. There are grave concerns that they may have committed other serious breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza, including the intentional co-location of military objectives and Palestinian civilians,” he said.
“Any attempts at shaping a peaceful future where such horrors do not recur must ensure that perpetrators are held to account. The tragic record of this conflict, and of so many other conflicts, shows clearly how impunity begets more violence. Abuse is given free rein to ripple across other war zones. This harms us all, and generations down the line. Delegitimising and threatening international institutions that are there to serve people and uphold international law also harms us all,” Türk said.
He called for an independent investigation into grave violations of international law, committed by Israel in the course of its attacks across Gaza, and by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups.
For more information and media requests, please contact
Liz Throssell + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org
Jeremy Laurence + 41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org
Thameen Al-Kheetan +41 22 917 4232 / thameen.alkheetan@un.org
Tag and share –
Twitter: @UNHumanRights
Facebook: unitednationshumanrights
Instagram: @unitednationshumanrights
STORY: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
TRT: 04:34
SOURCE: OHCHR/UNOG
RESTRICTIONS: Please shot list
LANGUAGE: English/NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 26 FEBRUARY 2025 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
DATELINE: 1-4 FEBRUARY 2025, JABALIYA
DATELINE: 02 FEBRUARY 2025, JENIN, WEST BANK
DATELINE: 20 FEBRUARY 2025, GAZA CITY
DATELINE: 22 FEBRUARY 2025, JABALIA
SHOTLIST
- Exterior shot: Palais des Nations
- Interior shot: Room 20
- SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “We are at an inflection point in the crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
- Various shots: Inside Jenin refugee camp, where many homes have been destroyed - 07 FEBRUARY 2025, JENIN, WEST BANK - PLEASE CREDIT UNICEF ON SCREEN
- SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “At this tenuous moment, the world must ask itself how to resolve this decades old conflict and stop the cycle of violence. Any plans for a better future must deal with the past, so accountability and justice for violations are crucial.”
- Various shots: Gazans Returning to their Homes in Jabaliya/Drone Shots (mute) 4 FEBRUARY 2025, JABALIYA, NORTHERN GAZA - PLEASE CREDIT WFP ON SCREEN
- SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “In Gaza, they have been subjected to blockades amounting to collective punishment. In the West Bank, illegal settlements and violence have been growing for decades, in violation of international law, with a significant increase over the past three years. Most of these violations have gone unpunished.”
- Various shots: Various shots, destruction inside Nur Shams refugee camp - 7 FEBRUARY 2025 - PLEASE CREDIT UNICEF ON SCREEN
- SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “There is absolutely no justification for the horrific attacks committed on 7 October 2023 when Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups brutally assaulted Israeli communities, killed civilians, and took over 250 hostages, and I have repeatedly condemned these acts.”
- Various shots: Various shots, destruction inside Nur Shams refugee camp - 7 FEBRUARY 2025 - PLEASE CREDIT UNICEF ON SCREEN
- SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “And nothing justifies the appalling manner in which Israel has conducted its military operations in Gaza, which consistently breached fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 48,000 people, most of whom are women and children, have been killed. Over 35,000 children have lost one or both parents. More than 1,054 medical personnel have been killed, with many others injured or detained by Israeli Forces. At least 277 United Nations staff have been killed, as well as a reported 200 journalists and media workers.”
- Various shots: Gazans returning to north - 20 FEBRUARY 2025, GAZA CITY- PLEASE CREDIT WFP ON SCREEN
- SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “As my Office and others have documented, Israel’s means and methods of warfare have caused staggering levels of casualties and destruction, raising concerns over the commission of war crimes and other possible atrocity crimes.”
- Various shots: Temporary shelter - 22 FEBRUARY 2025, JABALIA - PLEASE CREDIT WFP ON SCREEN
- SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “However, there are serious doubts about the capacity and will of the Israeli justice system to deliver full accountability, in line with international standards, notably in relation to the unlawful killing of Palestinians in Gaza or in the West Bank.”
- Cut away: room 20
- SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups have taken, held, and tortured hostages in Gaza, and have indiscriminately fired projectiles into Israeli territory, amounting to war crimes. There are grave concerns that they may have committed other serious breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza, including the intentional co-location of military objectives and Palestinian civilians.”
- Cut away: room 20
- SOUNDBITE (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “Any attempts at shaping a peaceful future where such horrors do not recur must ensure that perpetrators are held to account. The tragic record of this conflict, and of so many other conflicts, shows clearly how impunity begets more violence. Abuse is given free rein to ripple across other war zones. This harms us all, and generations down the line. Delegitimising and threatening international institutions that are there to serve people and uphold international law also harms us all.”
Similar Stories
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday provided and oral update to the 63rd session of the Human rights Council on Ukraine.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday provided and oral update to the 63rd session of the Human rights Council on the human rights situation in Haiti.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO
Repeated delays in bringing lifesaving medicines, prosthetics and more from Israel into Gaza risk having devastating consequences on Palestinians who urgently need them in the wartorn enclave, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday. “A truck full of non-priority supplies or the right supplies arriving too late, doesn't save lives. That's the question that actually matters," said Dr Reinhilde Van De Weerdt, WHO Representative in the OPT.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO
DRC: Early access to care and oxygen decisive for Ebola patients’ survival – WHO
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), health workers fighting the country’s largest-ever Ebola outbreak are struggling to overcome critical challenges to patient care, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , UN
Civilians in Iran are continuing to feel the consequences of months of conflict and military escalation, the UN’s top official in the country has said, as loss of life, damage to civilian infrastructure and mounting economic pressures leave many facing continued uncertainty.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO , UNICEF
Aid agencies in Yemen highlighted the growing hunger emergency sparked by renewed fighting between Houthi opposition forces and Government troops, after mobile health clinics reported that hundreds of children displaced by the violence are suffering from the most deadly form of malnutrition.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNHCR
Displacement on the rise in Yemen as fighting continues - UNHCR
As hostilities worsen in Yemen, more people have been fleeing their homes, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis within the region, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warned on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | IOM , OHCHR , UNFPA , UNOG , UNHCR , WHO
Yemen’s humanitarian crisis growing by the hour amid spike in displacement
Yemenis displaced by renewed fighting have described fleeing for their lives amid shelling and gunfire, aid agencies reported on Friday, while highlighting the dramatic increase in humanitarian needs in the country and in Djibouti, where thousands have sought shelter.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
The UN Human Rights Office issued on Friday a report documenting a shocking pattern of sexual violence amid Russia’s full-scale armed attack on Ukraine.
2
1
2
Edited News , Press Conferences | WMO
As world’s water reserves change, countries must prepare for a new reality: WMO
New data showing that rivers were at their lowest level for decades last year provides further evidence that the climate crisis is real and countries must act immediately to protect themselves from the increasing threat to communities and livelihoods, the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Thursday.
The key findings from WMO’s State of Global Water Resources 2025 report covering the hydrological cycle and extreme events in the five-year period to last year:
- 2025 was one of driest years for river discharge in 35 years
- Past seven years have seen abnorfmal river flows
- Water storage on Earth’s land surface has decreased in past decade
- Widespread glacier loss across all regions for fourth consecutive year
- Asia and Africa are regions most affected by water-related disasters
- Water data availability has improved, but gaps remain in hard-hit areas
Highlighting the long-term decline in the Earth’s freshwater storage and glacier melt, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo explained that the planet’s water reserves used to act as a planetary “savings account” that absorbed the occasional dry season, avoiding a water crisis. “One of the central stories of the 2025 report is what is happening to that savings account? And the simple answer is that we are depleting it,” she told journalists in Geneva.
Groundwater reserves are equally stretched and have been in decline since 2014, WMO’s report states, with nearly two-thirds of monitored wells worldwide showing levels lower than the historical norm and indicating a shift “further toward deficit…not recovery”.
“At the same time, we are seeing more water-related disasters,” Ms. Saulo said, while also stressing that the currently strengthening El Niño “will increase the risk of drought in some areas, and flooding in others”.
Glaciers disappearing
In 2025, for the fourth consecutive year, every major glaciated region on Earth lost ice mass, leading to short-term hazards including floods and long-term water insecurity, according to WMO.
Responding to a question about whether the changing global water cycle might have contributed to the deadly Nepal-China flooding disaster, Ms. Saulo explained that melting ice and rock was just one factor in the chain of events that ultimately sent a massive and deadly wall of water and debris downstream on 26 August, killing at least 1,367 people.
“You asked if it could happen again? Absolutely; the problem in this region is that there’s 63,700 glaciers at the last count,” she told a Press Conference in Geneva. “Even if you’re looking with remote sensing with satellites at these glaciers, you might see some faults, you might see some slight shifting, that does not mean necessarily catastrophic collapse. So, in order to plan for this, it’s very, very difficult. But the international community is looking very hard at ways in which we can bring people together to solve some of these monitoring issues.”
Data indicates that glaciers shrank between 2023 and 2025 with cumulative losses of 1,400 gigatonnes of water – or about one third of annual fresh water needs.
Every major glacier region on Earth lost ice for the fourth consecutive year.
“All 19 glacier regions around the globe lost ice; in Central Asia, Iceland, the Russian Arctic and western Canada and the United States, it was among the three worst years on record,” said Wayne Jenkinson, WMO’s Director of Hydrology and Cryosphere.
Some regions with smaller glaciers such as Central Europe, the Caucasus, the western Canada and the United States may already have reached “peak water”, Mr. Jenkinson warned.
“After this point, the glacier gives less meltwater each year simply because there is less ice left to melt. That matters for every community downstream that relies on water during hot, dry summers,” he explained.
Narelle van der Wel, WMO’s Head of Cryosphere Monitoring, Predictions and Services, stressed that while some further glacier loss is unavoidable, the eventual scale of the decline is not predetermined.
“Some glacier loss is inevitable, but total loss of glaciers is not yet inevitable,” she said, pointing to emissions reductions as central to limiting future losses.
Preparing for moving baselines
The report does not attribute every observed change to climate change alone. WMO says pressure on water resources and natural variability also contribute.
Mr. Jenkinson said governments need to prepare for “moving baselines” as historical patterns become less reliable.
“The situation 30 years ago is not where we are today,” he said. Countries, he added, need to prepare “for those changes that have really already arrived”.
ends
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , WHO
The deadly Ebola virus outbreak in DR Congo continues to spread across the vast country despite some success in containing it, aid officials said on Tuesday, in a renewed call for international support to help responders on the ground.
2
1
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | WFP
‘Super El Niño’ and converging crises worsen hunger in South Sudan and across the region - WFP
South Sudan’s hunger crisis is becoming increasingly catastrophic as violence, extreme weather and dwindling aid leave millions without enough food, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday.