UN human rights chief: 40,000 killed in Gaza, mostly women and children
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for an end to the violence in Gaza as the death toll surpassed 40,000, the majority of whom are women and children.
Türk condemned the ongoing killings and urged for the immediate cessation of hostilities. "This unimaginable situation is overwhelmingly due to recurring failures by the Israeli Defense Forces to comply with the rules of war," he stated.
Türk highlighted the grim reality in Gaza, noting that "on average, about 130 people have been killed every day in Gaza over the past 10 months," based on estimates from local health authorities.
The UN rights chief expressed deep concern over the extent of the destruction caused by Israeli military operations, describing the devastation of homes, hospitals, schools, and places of worship as "deeply shocking."
Türk also called for the release of all prisoners and emphasized the need to bring an end to the violence "once and for all." The statement comes as the international community continues to grapple with the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. (ILKHA)