“We call on all parties to respect the ceasefire and ensure that we can move to the next phase (of the peace plan),” the High Commissioner told reporters in Geneva. Gaza “remains a place of unimaginable suffering, loss and fear. While the bloodshed has reduced, it has not stopped,” he insisted.
Resolution 2803 (2025) received 13 votes in favor and none against, with permanent members China and Russia abstaining.
The text welcomed the Comprehensive Plan announced by President Trump on September 29. The first phase of the 20-point plan led to the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel days later.
Changing the ‘yellow line’
Most of last week’s violence was reported near the “Yellow Line,” whose large painted concrete blocks shifted last week, causing “new waves” of displacement, according to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
In a scheduled update, the agency cited data from Gaza health authorities indicating that 360 Palestinians have been killed and 922 wounded since the fragile ceasefire agreement came into effect in late October.. Since then, 617 more bodies have also been recovered from beneath the rubble.
Echoing those concerns, Mr. Türk said his Office had documented more than 350 attacks since the ceasefire began. Among the dead were seven women and 13 children.
“Israel’s attacks continue, including against people approaching the so-called Yellow Line, residential buildings and tents and (IDP) shelters, as well as other civilian objects,” he told reporters.
In addition to the humanitarian emergency still unfolding in Gaza, the High Commissioner highlighted how the widespread psychological trauma affecting the enclave’s population is “the most serious mental health crisis one can imagine…Basically everyone is traumatized and especially children..”
Meanwhile, at a press conference on the occasion of Human Rights Day, Türk also expressed deep concern over the “unprecedented levels of attacks by Israeli forces and settlers against Palestinians” and their lands in the occupied West Bank.
“This is the time to intensify pressure and promotion, not to sink into complacency,” he insisted.
A world of problems
Turning to the long-standing emergency in the east Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)The High Commissioner expressed deep concern over overnight reports of thousands of people fleeing the South Kivu town of Uvira amid clashes between M23 rebel fighters and the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, backed by the Wazalendo militia.
“This comes just days after the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda “reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the June 2025 Washington Peace Agreement,” Türk said, warning that the risk of a broader regional confrontation was increasing.
The High Commissioner also issued a stern warning that war crimes and possible crimes against humanity could be occurring in Sudan, where the war shows no signs of letting up.
The emergency erupted in April 2023, when the transition to civilian government broke down and today the Sudanese Armed Forces continue to clash with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Recently, the RSF invaded the town of El Fasher after laying siege to it for 18 months, leading to widespread reports of serious rights abuses.
“From Darfur and Kordofan to Khartoum and Omdurman and beyond, no Sudanese civilian has been immune to cruel and senseless violence,” Türk said. “We’re talking about thousands of people who have been killed. There were summary executions, there were people who were trying to leave us safely, who were killed when they tried to leave… There were witness statements about rape and gang rape, even in front of their family members… So yes, we are talking about very serious atrocity crimes. War crimes for sure. Potentially crimes against humanity as well.”
Ukraine Appeal
In UkraineThe High Commissioner noted that damage to civilians has increased considerably. Civilian casualties so far this year are 24 percent higher than the same period last year, he said, largely due to Russia’s increasing use of powerful long-range weapons in large quantities and its continued efforts “to capture more Ukrainian territory by armed force.”
Urgent measures need to be taken to alleviate suffering, Türk continued, “including the return of transferred children (supposedly taken to Russia), the exchange of all prisoners of war, and the unconditional release of civilians detained by Russian authorities.”
War on drugs
When asked to comment on the US military’s deadly attacks on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean, the High Commissioner reiterated his position that these represented a violation of international law and human rights standards and required “prompt and independent investigations”.
Reports indicate that more than 80 people have been killed in more than 20 attacks since September. On 2 September, two survivors of an initial attack were reportedly killed in a second attack.
Mr. Türk noted that while American lawmakers continue to call for more information about these attacks, “I hope they lead to a quick, serious and independent investigation. so we can get to the bottom of what has happened there.”