Today, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk issued a strong call on national governments around the world to exert sustained diplomatic pressure on Israel to end its military operations in Gaza and bring an end to what he characterized as a humanitarian catastrophe. OHCHR issued its appeal after calling Israel out for continuing military operations there that are “carnage”. He called for sustained diplomatic pressure until Israel ceases its military operation there and puts an end to it all together.
Demanding Action and Accountability
Turk emphasized the need for state authorities to go beyond mere expressions of concern to take concrete measures that ensure Israel ceases its offensive. He referenced various international mandates (UN resolutions and rulings from the International Court of Justice) calling for immediate ceasefires with free humanitarian access. – See Wikipedia/+1 The Guardian
Citing UN General Assembly Resolutions ES-10/21 and ES-10/22 adopted in October and December 2023 respectively, Turk reaffirmed global legal calls for an “immediate and sustained humanitarian truce”, and enforce obligations under international humanitarian law. AP News (+1); Wikipedia (3 + 3);
Rising Global Outrage International pressure has escalated dramatically. A coalition of 28 Western nations including Britain, Canada and Australia issued a joint statement demanding an immediate end to the war in Gaza due to civilian suffering and worsening humanitarian conditions cited by The Times, AP News and Times of Israel.
Kaja Kallas, EU Foreign Policy Chief has warned Israel if they fail to honor pledges to increase aid access and protect civilians that all options including sanctions and diplomatic measures remain on the table. She made this comment while at an EU Foreign Affairs Council Meeting this month. News.com.au +4, Reuters +4 and The Guardian +4 each had similar warnings of sanctions or diplomatic measures as soon as Israel fails to honor these agreements.
Disaster Conditions in Gaza Despite international appeals, conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate rapidly. Israeli military strikes have killed an estimated 59,000 Palestinians since they started in October 2023, most often civilians–especially children–as casualties. According to The Washington Post and AP News, over 59,000 have already perished during this conflict alone (AP News + The Washington Post).
Aid organizations report widespread starvation. Conditions have been described as famine-like, with increasing child malnutrition rates and thousands being displaced from Gaza due to blockades and crossing restrictions which severely limit humanitarian aid flows.
The Guardian.
Wikipedia
UN and aid officials regularly report deaths at overcrowded distribution points, with reports suggesting over 1,000 have perished searching for food and water. Israel has eased some restrictions–including tactical pauses and increased aid corridors–but access remains inadequate, as reported in The Times, The Guardian, and Washington Post (TGC) +2.
Civil Society and Legal Implications mes Human rights organizations echo Turk’s call. Human Rights Watch advocates for states to implement targeted sanctions on Israeli officials as well as arms embargoes to end international impunity.
AP News +5 = HRW +5 OHCHR.
UN bodies and international special rapporteurs have expressed concerns about Israel’s actions as potential violations of international law, drawing parallels with apartheid-era tactics. Global forums including Bogota conference have called for accountability and compliance with rulings of international courts.
(AP News).
What Countries Can Do
Volker Turk highlighted an upcoming ministerial-level UN conference on Palestine scheduled for July 28-29 as an opportunity for governments to publicly commit to taking binding actions against Israeli actions that violate humanitarian principles. For more information, go here (hrw.org +wikipedia).
Possible actions taken include:
Applying arm embargoes or sanctions targeting key Israeli leaders
Supporting implementation of UN ceasefire resolutions
Supporting refugee and aid routes into Gaza unilaterally where possible.