Israel-Hamas War

UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk said in a statement Tuesday that Israel's retaliatory bombings and "seizes" have targeted Palestinian residential buildings and schools, as well as "premises of the UN relief and works agency, UNRWA (U.N. Palestinian refugee agency)" — actions illegal under international law, which Turk said could amount to "collective punishment."

"[Israel's] 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 said. "This risks seriously compounding 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."

U.N. Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani later clarified that such acts may amount to a war crime, and that the review was based on reports from the agency's own monitors on the ground.

Türk also condemned "horrifying mass killings by members of Palestinian armed groups," noting that Hamas' abduction of hostages is also illegal under international law. He called on "all parties" to "respect international humanitarian law" and "immediately cease attacks targeting civilians."