UN accuses Israel of violating international law in Gaza

The UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, has called for action against Israel's actions in the occupied territories, citing a blatant disregard for international law. During the 57th session of the human rights council in Geneva, he highlighted the need for countries to address Israel's occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as its military operations in Gaza. Turk referenced a July opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that deemed Israel's occupation illegal, which Israel has rejected as fundamentally wrong. The situation has escalated following a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in significant casualties and hostages. In retaliation, violent clashes have erupted between Israeli settlers and Palestinians, leading to hundreds of civilian deaths. The ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza has reportedly killed over 40,000 people and displaced around 90% of the population, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. The US has imposed sanctions on several Israeli individuals and groups linked to the violence, indicating international concern over the situation. The Israeli security cabinet has been actively discussing the violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, particularly after the death of a Turkish-American woman during a demonstration against Israeli settlements. Her family has called for a US investigation into her death, highlighting the tensions surrounding protests in the region. Recent violence has also included an attack at the border crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan, marking a significant escalation in hostilities. The ongoing conflict continues to draw international scrutiny and raises questions about the future of peace negotiations in the region.