UN Human Rights Chief: "No Military Path Out of Gaza Crisis"

United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk issued a stark warning this morning following reports of Israeli airstrikes and shelling in Gaza that claimed hundreds of lives.

In a forceful statement from Geneva, Türk decried the latest round of violence as a deepening humanitarian tragedy.

"I am horrified by last night’s Israeli airstrikes and shelling in Gaza, which killed hundreds, according to the Ministry of Health in the strip. This will add tragedy onto tragedy," Türk said, his remarks underscoring the escalating loss of life in the already embattled region.

Highlighting a grim pattern, the UN official noted that the past 18 months have demonstrated the futility of military solutions in resolving the conflict. "The last 18 months of violence have made abundantly clear that there is no military path out of this crisis. The only way forward is a political settlement, in line with international law," he stressed.

Türk also issued a series of urgent demands aimed at halting the conflict. "This nightmare must end immediately. The hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. All those arbitrarily detained must be released immediately and unconditionally. The war must end permanently," he declared, calling on all parties with influence to take decisive action to secure peace and protect civilians.