GENEVA: The Gaza war between Israel and Palestinian resistance group Hamas is a “powder keg” with the potential to spark broader conflict in the Middle East region, the United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk said Monday. Turk emphasized the urgent need for all possible measures to be taken to prevent the escalation of hostilities.
Speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Turk highlighted the dangerous spillover effects already witnessed in neighboring countries due to the Gaza war. He expressed deep concern over the potential for any small spark to ignite a much larger conflict, with repercussions extending beyond the region.
Turk pointed to the escalating tensions in southern Lebanon between Israel, Hezbollah, and other armed groups as particularly worrying. He noted the significant loss of life, displacement of civilians, and damage to important infrastructure in Lebanon as a result of the conflict.
The UN High Commissioner for human rights called for thorough investigations into incidents where civilians, including children, paramedics, and journalists, have been killed in attacks. He emphasized the need to prevent further escalation and urged all parties to exercise restraint.
Over 30,000 Palestinians Killed in Gaza Since Oct 7
The Gaza conflict, which began following an attack by Hamas on October 7. Since October 7, more than 30,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in ongoing relentless Israeli bombardment, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Turk also raised concerns about the impact of the conflict on Yemen, where Houthis have been targeting Red Sea shipping in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. These attacks have disrupted global maritime trade and driven up the price of goods.
The United States, Israel’s key ally, has conducted retaliatory strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen to counter the attacks. However, there remains a serious risk of the conflict spreading further within Yemen, with potentially devastating consequences for its already vulnerable population.
Turk urged the international community to prioritize efforts to de-escalate tensions in both Gaza and Yemen, emphasizing the need for a coordinated and multilateral approach to address the root causes of the conflicts and alleviate the suffering of affected populations.
“There is a serious risk of the conflict extending to Yemen itself, with potentially severe harm to Yemen’s people, already suffering from the humanitarian crisis generated by a decade of war,” he said.
