By Beyza Binnur Donmez
GENEVA (AA) - The UN human rights chief on Tuesday urged the warring parties to defuse the "powder keg" situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
Volker Turk said in a statement that international humanitarian law and human rights law must be respected in all circumstances.
"We are faced with an explosive powder keg situation. We know how this plays out, time and time again – the loss of Israeli and Palestinian lives and incalculable suffering inflicted on both communities.
"All parties must respect international humanitarian law," he urged. "They must immediately cease attacks targeting civilians and attacks expected to cause disproportionate death and injury of civilians or damage to civilian objects."
He reminded parties that their duty to constantly care about protecting civilian populations and objects continues to apply during attacks under international law.
Referring to the Israeli order of a "full siege" of Gaza, Turk said that such a decision risks "seriously" the already dire human rights and humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the capacity of medical facilities to operate, especially in light of increasing numbers of injured.
"The imposition of sieges that endanger the lives of civilians by depriving them of goods essential for their survival is prohibited under international humanitarian law," he recalled.
Turk added: "Any restrictions on the movement of people and goods to implement a siege must be justified by military necessity or may otherwise amount to collective punishment."
"Vengeance is not the answer" as ultimately innocent civilians pay the price, he said, adding that the world "cannot afford more polarization."
The Gaza-based resistance group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel early Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets and infiltrating Israel by land, air, and sea. It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and increased Israeli settler violence against Palestinians.
In retaliation, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza has risen to 765, including children and women, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said on Tuesday. It said the number of wounded has risen to around 4,000.
At least 900 Israelis have been killed and over 2,600 others wounded in the fighting, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.