UN Rights Chief Urges Global Pressure on Israel Ahead of Palestine Peace Conference

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk issued a powerful call to action on Sunday, urging governments to apply maximum pressure on Israel to end what he described as a “carnage” in Gaza.

His warning came ahead of the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, which is being described as a potentially historic moment in the pursuit of a two-state solution.

In a video message from Geneva, Türk emphasized that failure to act decisively could render countries complicit in international crimes. “This conference must deliver concrete action,” he said, stressing the urgent need for Israel to end its “unlawful continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory” and for all parties to commit to a path forward toward a viable two-state solution.

Describing the situation in Gaza and the West Bank as an “unspeakable tragedy,” Türk condemned what he called systematic Israeli policies aimed at consolidating annexation and displacing Palestinians. “Children are starving and dying in front of our eyes,” he said, calling Gaza a “dystopian landscape of deadly attacks and total destruction.”

Dire Humanitarian Conditions in Gaza

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher echoed Türk’s urgency, warning of a deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. With widespread hunger, children suffering from acute malnutrition, and civilians risking their lives for food, Fletcher called Israel’s limited easing of restrictions “not nearly enough.” He urged for the immediate and sustained delivery of aid, protected access routes, fuel supplies, and above all, a permanent ceasefire.

Türk criticized the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation — backed by the United States and Israel — for failing to deliver aid at the scale required, describing its distribution centers as “chaotic and militarized.” According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Türk said more than 200,000 Palestinians have been killed or injured since October 7 — roughly 10% of the territory’s population — and over 1,000 have died while trying to access food. He also noted that more than 300 humanitarian workers have been killed.

“All countries have an obligation to take concrete steps to ensure that Israel, the occupying power in Gaza, complies with its duties to provide adequate food and lifesaving necessities,” Türk said.

West Bank Violence and Concerns of Annexation

Türk also condemned Israel’s actions in the occupied West Bank, accusing its military and settlers of continued violence, house demolitions, water cuts, and what he called “systems of oppression and discrimination.” He warned that current Israeli plans and repeated displacement orders were pushing Palestinians into ever-smaller, overcrowded spaces and putting the two-state solution increasingly out of reach.

While acknowledging the trauma inflicted by Hamas’ October 7 attacks and condemning them unequivocally, Türk reiterated that Israel’s military response has been vastly disproportionate. He again raised concerns over potential war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the risk of genocide, echoing warnings issued by the International Court of Justice.

Urgent Calls for Ceasefire, Hostage Release, and Accountability

Türk concluded by urging an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and arbitrarily detained individuals, and a massive surge in humanitarian assistance. He reaffirmed the UN human rights office’s commitment to support Palestinian state-building rooted in human rights and the rule of law, and emphasized the importance of victim support and accountability in the future.

“The people of the world will judge this Conference on what it delivers,” he said, calling for a moment of truth for the international community.