In the past month, both Hamas and Israel have been involved in a conflict that has raised serious concerns about war crimes. The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Turk, recently addressed the situation, expressing his deep concern. He described the actions taken by Palestinian armed groups on October 7 as “heinous, brutal, and shocking,” and he categorized them as war crimes. He also pointed out that the continued holding of hostages is a violation of international law.
Israel’s response to the situation has also been criticized. Turk noted that Israel’s actions, such as collective punishment of Palestinian civilians and unlawful forcible evacuations, can be considered war crimes. The conflict escalated on October 7 when Israel declared war on Hamas in response to militant attacks that resulted in the loss of lives and the kidnapping of hundreds of people.
This ongoing conflict has had devastating consequences for the Gaza Strip, including mass displacement and severe shortages of essential resources like food, water, fuel, and medical supplies. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have repeatedly urged civilians to move to the southern part of the strip to avoid the fighting. They have even opened evacuation corridors to facilitate this, as they intensify their operations against Hamas in Gaza City and northern Gaza.
This has led to a growing exodus of Palestinians heading south to seek safety. Residents who have lived through the conflict describe it as “horrifying” and lament the destruction it has wrought.
Volker Turk emphasized the urgent need for both sides to agree to a ceasefire. He called for the delivery of aid to Gaza, the release of hostages by Hamas, and the creation of a political environment that can lead to a lasting resolution to the occupation.
The Israeli military has defended its actions, stating that its strikes on Hamas targets follow international law and are designed to minimize civilian casualties. However, the conflict has already resulted in a substantial loss of life, with at least 10,515 people killed and more than 26,000 others injured in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Most of the casualties are women, children, and the elderly.
Turk made these comments after visiting the Rafah crossing on the Gaza-Egypt border, which is the only border crossing not controlled by Israel. It has been partially opened in recent weeks to allow the entry of aid and the exit of foreign nationals and severely injured Palestinians. Turk described the Rafah crossing as a vital lifeline for the over 2 million people in Gaza and stressed the need for more aid to be delivered.
He observed the dire conditions in Gaza, where people have been enduring relentless bombardment, mourning their loved ones, and struggling to access basic necessities like water, food, electricity, and fuel.
The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) operating in Gaza reported that it managed to deliver medical supplies to Al-Shifa hospital, Gaza’s largest medical facility, despite significant risks to its staff and health partners due to ongoing attacks. The hospital is currently overwhelmed, with almost two patients per bed, and tens of thousands of displaced Gazans seeking shelter in its parking lots and yards.
Aid organizations have also faced dangers while delivering supplies within Gaza. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that its convoy came under fire, resulting in damaged trucks and minor injuries to a driver. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) attributed the attack to Israel, but the IDF has not responded to these allegations, maintaining that it does not intentionally target medical transport and blaming Hamas for operating from densely populated areas.