UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called on Israel to immediately abandon its plan to establish full military control over the Gaza Strip, Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
The plan, approved tonight by the Israeli military cabinet, contradicts the ruling of the UN International Court of Justice, according to which Israel must end the occupation as soon as possible, implement the principle of a two-state solution and guarantee the Palestinians' right to self-determination, Türk said in a statement.
“Everything suggests that a new escalation will lead to even greater displacement of people, to more killings, unbearable suffering, unnecessary destruction and grave crimes“, stressed the high commissioner, who is often accused by the Israeli authorities of bias towards the Palestinian side.
He insisted that the Israeli government ensure unhindered access for humanitarian aid to Gaza, instead of intensifying military action.
Türk also called for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist group “Hamas“, as well as for the release of “Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel“.