“The Security Council resolution is very clear about not calling anything a border or anything else, this is territory that must be respected in its entirety,” he said, referring to a resolution adopted by the Council on November 17 in support of a comprehensive plan to end the conflict.
“We call on all parties to respect the ceasefire and ensure that we can effectively move on to the next phase. [of the peace plan]”, the High Commissioner told journalists in Geneva. Gaza “remains a place of unimaginable suffering, loss and fear. Even though the bloodshed has lessened, it has not stopped,” he insisted.
Resolution 2803 (2025) received 13 votes in favor and none against, with permanent members China and Russia abstaining.
The text welcomes the comprehensive plan announced by President Trump on September 29. The first phase of the 20-point plan led to the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel a few days later.
Moving the “yellow line”
Most of last week’s violence was reported near the “Yellow Line”, whose large painted concrete blocks have shifted over the past week, causing “new waves” of displacement, according to the UN agency for Palestine refugees. UNRWA.
In a scheduled update, the agency cited data from Gaza health authorities indicating that 360 Palestinians have been killed and 922 injured since the fragile ceasefire agreement took effect in late October. Since then, 617 additional bodies have also been found under the rubble.
Echoing these concerns, Mr. Türk said his Office had documented more than 350 attacks since the ceasefire began. Among the dead are seven women and 13 children.
“Israeli attacks continue, including against individuals approaching the so-called Yellow Line, residential buildings and [internally displaced persons] Tents and shelters for displaced people, as well as other civilian goods,” he told reporters.
In addition to the humanitarian emergency that continues in Gaza, the High Commissioner highlighted the extent to which the widespread psychological trauma affecting the population of the enclave constitutes “the most serious mental health crisis that one can imagine…Basically everyone is traumatized and especially the children.”
Meanwhile, during a press conference marking Human Rights DayMr. Türk also expressed deep concern over the “unprecedented levels of attacks by Israeli forces and settlers against Palestinians” and their lands in the occupied West Bank.
“This is the time to step up pressure and advocacy – not to fall into complacency,” he insisted.
A world of problems
Regarding the long-running emergency situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the High Commissioner expressed deep concern over reports overnight of thousands of people fleeing the town of Uvira, South Kivu, amid clashes between M23 rebel fighters and the DRC armed forces, supported by the Wazalendo militia.
“This comes just days after the DRC and Rwanda “reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the June 2025 Washington peace agreement,” Türk said, warning that the risk of a broader regional confrontation was growing.
The High Commissioner also issued a stark warning that war crimes and potential crimes against humanity could occur in Sudan, where the war shows no signs of abating.
A state of emergency erupted in April 2023 when the transition to civilian rule failed and today the Sudanese armed forces continue to clash with rapid support paramilitary forces. Recently, the RSF invaded the town of El Fasher after besieging it for 18 months, leading to widespread reports of serious rights violations.
“From Darfur and Kordofan to Khartoum and Omdurman and beyond, no Sudanese civilian has been spared from this cruel and senseless violence,” Mr. Türk said. “We’re talking about thousands of people who were killed. There were summary executions, there were people who were trying to leave us, for sure, who were killed trying to leave… There were testimonies of rapes and gang rapes, including in front of family members… So yes, we’re talking about very serious atrocity crimes. War crimes, of course. Potentially crimes against humanity as well.”
Appeal from Ukraine
In Ukraine, the High Commissioner noted that damage to civilians has increased sharply. Civilian casualties so far this year are 24 percent higher than the same period last year, he said, largely because of Russia’s increasing use of powerful long-range weapons in large numbers and its continued efforts “to capture more Ukrainian territory by armed force.”
Urgent measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering, Mr. Türk continued, “including the return of transferred children.” [allegedly taken to Russia]the exchange of all prisoners of war and the unconditional release of civilian detainees held by the Russian authorities.”
War on drugs
Asked to comment on the deadly strikes carried out by the US military against suspected drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean, the High Commissioner reiterated his position that these strikes constituted a violation of international law and human rights law and required “prompt and independent investigations”.
Reports indicate that more than 80 people have been killed in more than 20 attacks since September. On September 2, two survivors of a first strike were reportedly killed in a second attack.
Mr. Türk noted that as U.S. lawmakers continue to call for more information about these strikes, “I hope they result in a quick, serious, independent investigation so we can get to the bottom of what happened there.”
Originally published in The European Times.
source link eu news
