Volker Türk: War crimes were committed in Gaza

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said that there are indications that Israel is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Turk expressed "real concerns" about Israel's compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law in its response to the October 7 attack.

He added that 70% of those affected by the violent Israeli bombing were women and minors.

Turk added, "It can be assumed that the majority of those affected are civilians." Moreover, he explained, collective punishment of Palestinians constitutes a war crime.

Turk indicated that there are indications that crimes against humanity may have been committed. “Given the heavy and disproportionate bombing, combined with the lack of effective humanitarian assistance, there are real concerns that need to be looked at more closely,” he said.

On the other hand, Turk referred to the resistance’s attack on Israel on October 7 as an illegal act, as it included “indiscriminate shooting at Israel and military action against civilian facilities.”