On Friday, September 26, 2025, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, delivered a scathing assessment of the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, describing the situation as “absolutely horrific.” Speaking at a high-profile event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Türk underscored the dire humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the region, emphasizing the urgent need for international action to address the escalating suffering. His remarks came in response to questions about whether the international community, including his own office, was neglecting the Israel-Palestine conflict in favor of other global crises. Türk’s address was a clarion call for immediate steps, including a ceasefire and the release of hostages, to halt the relentless cycle of violence and devastation.
A Humanitarian Crisis of Unprecedented Scale
The situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank has reached a critical juncture, with Türk’s remarks reflecting the gravity of the crisis. For over two years, the region has been embroiled in a conflict marked by intense violence, widespread displacement, and a humanitarian emergency that has left millions in desperate need. Gaza, in particular, has borne the brunt of the conflict, with relentless military operations, restricted access to essential supplies, and a collapsing infrastructure exacerbating the suffering of its 2.3 million residents. The occupied West Bank, too, has seen a surge in violence, with reports of civilian casualties, home demolitions, and restrictions on movement further deepening the crisis.
Türk’s characterization of the situation as “absolutely horrific” was not an exaggeration. According to reports from the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations, over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023, with thousands more injured and displaced. The blockade on Gaza has severely limited access to food, water, medicine, and fuel, pushing the population to the brink of famine. Hospitals, schools, and residential areas have been reduced to rubble, with entire neighborhoods wiped out in airstrikes. In the West Bank, settler violence and military raids have intensified, contributing to a climate of fear and instability.
War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity
In his address, Türk did not mince words, describing the situation as a cascade of “war crime upon war crime, crime against humanity upon crime against humanity.” This stark language reflects the findings of numerous reports by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which has documented extensive violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in the region. These violations include indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure, the use of excessive force, and the targeting of protected sites such as hospitals and schools.
Türk’s reference to war crimes and crimes against humanity points to the systematic nature of the violations. Under international law, war crimes include acts such as willful killing, targeting civilians, and destroying civilian property without military necessity. Crimes against humanity, as defined by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, encompass widespread or systematic attacks against civilian populations, including murder, extermination, and apartheid-like policies. Türk’s remarks suggest that the scale and pattern of violations in Gaza and the West Bank meet these thresholds, a position that aligns with calls from human rights organizations for accountability and justice.
A Call for Immediate Action
Türk emphasized that the international community must act swiftly to address the crisis. “The solution is clear,” he stated. “We need a ceasefire. We need the release of all hostages, and I believe we need a path for peace.” His call for a ceasefire reflects a growing consensus among global leaders and humanitarian organizations that an immediate halt to hostilities is essential to prevent further loss of life and to create space for humanitarian aid delivery. The release of hostages, including those taken during the October 2023 attack by Hamas and others held by Israeli authorities, remains a critical issue in negotiations aimed at de-escalating the conflict.
The High Commissioner’s remarks also underscored the need for a broader vision for peace. While a ceasefire would provide immediate relief, Türk argued that sustainable peace requires addressing the root causes of the conflict, including the occupation, systemic discrimination, and the lack of a viable political process. His call for a “path for peace” aligns with longstanding UN resolutions advocating for a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as a shared capital and guarantees for the right of return for Palestinian refugees.
Responding to Criticism of Neglect
Türk’s address came in response to a question about whether the international community, and his office in particular, was neglecting the Israel-Palestine conflict in favor of other global crises, such as those in Ukraine, Sudan, or Haiti. The High Commissioner firmly rejected this notion, pointing to the extensive work his office has undertaken to document and report on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. “If you look at all the statements I’ve made … I speak about Gaza almost every week,” he said, highlighting his consistent engagement with the issue.
The OHCHR has issued numerous reports detailing the human rights violations in the region, including specific incidents of excessive force, arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on humanitarian access. These reports have been presented to the UN Human Rights Council, the General Assembly, and other international bodies, ensuring that the crisis remains in the global spotlight. Türk also noted that his office has worked closely with local and international organizations to monitor the situation on the ground, despite significant challenges posed by restricted access and ongoing violence.
“We discuss other situations not because of oblivion — we are very much on record,” Türk added, emphasizing that the OHCHR’s mandate requires it to address human rights violations globally without prioritizing one crisis over another. This response was a pointed rebuttal to critics who argue that the international community has been inconsistent in its attention to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Türk’s remarks suggest that his office is committed to maintaining pressure on all parties to uphold their obligations under international law.
The Broader Context of the Crisis
To fully understand Türk’s remarks, it is essential to place the current crisis in its broader historical and political context. The Israel-Palestine conflict has its roots in the early 20th century, with competing national movements and colonial interventions shaping the struggle over land and self-determination. The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, followed by the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in what is known as the Nakba, set the stage for decades of conflict. The occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem following the 1967 Six-Day War further entrenched the divide, with Israel maintaining control over these territories and expanding settlements in violation of international law.
In recent years, the situation has deteriorated significantly. The blockade on Gaza, imposed by Israel and Egypt since 2007, has created a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions, with severe restrictions on movement and access to basic necessities. In the West Bank, the expansion of Israeli settlements, coupled with military operations and settler violence, has eroded prospects for a viable Palestinian state. The absence of meaningful peace negotiations since the collapse of the Oslo process in the early 2000s has further dimmed hopes for a resolution.
The escalation in October 2023, triggered by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel and Israel’s subsequent military response, marked a turning point in the conflict. The attack, which killed over 1,200 Israelis and led to the capture of more than 250 hostages, prompted a massive retaliatory campaign that has devastated Gaza. The scale of destruction, coupled with the high civilian toll, has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights groups and prompted investigations by the International Criminal Court into alleged war crimes by both Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups.
Challenges to Humanitarian Response
One of the most pressing challenges in addressing the crisis is the delivery of humanitarian aid. The blockade on Gaza has severely restricted the flow of essential supplies, with only a fraction of the needed aid reaching the population. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 1.9 million people in Gaza are internally displaced, many living in overcrowded shelters with limited access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. The destruction of hospitals and medical facilities has further strained the healthcare system, leaving thousands without access to life-saving treatment.
In the West Bank, restrictions on movement, including checkpoints and road closures, have hindered humanitarian organizations’ ability to provide assistance. Settler violence, often carried out with impunity, has also targeted aid workers and infrastructure, further complicating relief efforts. Türk’s call for a ceasefire is directly tied to the need to create a safe environment for humanitarian operations, allowing aid to reach those in need without fear of attack.
The Role of the International Community
Türk’s remarks underscored the critical role of the international community in addressing the crisis. While the UN has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and respect for international law, efforts to secure a resolution have been hampered by geopolitical divisions. The United States, a key ally of Israel, has consistently vetoed Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire, arguing that such measures must include guarantees for Israel’s security. Other major powers, including Russia and China, have criticized Israel’s actions and called for greater accountability, further complicating diplomatic efforts.
The High Commissioner’s emphasis on the release of hostages highlights another key obstacle to peace. The fate of the hostages taken by Hamas, as well as Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, remains a contentious issue in negotiations. Mediators, including Egypt and Qatar, have been working to broker a deal that would secure the release of hostages in exchange for a ceasefire and the release of Palestinian detainees, but progress has been slow.
A Path Forward
Türk’s call for a “path for peace” reflects the need for a comprehensive approach to resolving the conflict. Beyond an immediate ceasefire and hostage release, this path requires addressing the structural issues that perpetuate the cycle of violence. These include ending the occupation, dismantling illegal settlements, and ensuring equal rights for all people in the region. The international community must also invest in rebuilding Gaza’s infrastructure and supporting economic development in the West Bank to create conditions for sustainable peace.
Civil society organizations, both local and international, have a critical role to play in this process. Grassroots movements advocating for Palestinian rights, as well as Israeli groups calling for an end to the occupation, have been instrumental in raising awareness and pushing for change. International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have also been vocal in documenting violations and advocating for accountability.
Conclusion
Volker Türk’s remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations serve as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. His description of the situation as “absolutely horrific” and his condemnation of “war crime upon war crime, crime against humanity upon crime against humanity” underscore the scale of the crisis and the moral imperative to act. By calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a path for peace, Türk has laid out a clear roadmap for the international community to follow.
The crisis in Gaza and the West Bank is not just a regional issue but a test of the international community’s commitment to human rights and justice. As Türk emphasized, his office has not neglected the Israel-Palestine conflict but has consistently documented and reported on the violations occurring there. The challenge now is for world leaders, policymakers, and civil society to heed his call and take decisive action to end the suffering and pave the way for a just and lasting peace.
