UN rights chief: Gaza faces 'darkest moment'

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned Oct. 25 that "the darkest moment of the Gaza conflict is unfolding in the north of the Strip." Calling for urgent action by the international community, Türk stated: "Unimaginably, the situation is getting worse by the day. The Israeli Government's...practices in northern Gaza risk emptying the area of all Palestinians. We are facing what could amount to...crimes against humanity." Türk asserted that under the Geneva Convention, member states have "an obligation to act when a serious violation of international humanitarian law has been committed."

South Africa continues to pursue proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice, charging that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Several countries, including Nicaragua, Colombia, Libya, Mexico, Palestine, Spain, Türkiye and Chile have also filed declarations of intervention in support of the case. (Jurist)