U.N. Rights Chief Urges End to Gaza War, Calls Out Israel's Actions

The U.N. human rights chief emphasized the urgency of ending the war in Gaza, calling out Israel's 'blatant disregard' for international law. He urged nations to act, referencing the U.N. top court's opinion on the illegality of Israel's occupation, which Israel has rejected.

The U.N. human rights chief declared on Monday that halting the nearly year-long war in Gaza is a priority and urged nations to confront what he termed Israel's 'blatant disregard' for international law in the occupied Palestinian territories.

'States must not – cannot – accept blatant disregard for international law, including binding decisions of the U.N. Security Council and orders of the International Court of Justice, neither in this nor any other situation,' stated U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk during an address at the opening of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Turk referenced a July opinion from the U.N. top court that deemed Israel's occupation illegal, stressing that this situation requires comprehensive resolution. Israel has dismissed the court's opinion.