The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said on Friday the "darkest moment" of the conflict in Gaza was unfolding in the north of the territory, warning that Israel's actions could amount to "atrocity crimes".
Turk pointed out that already "more than 150,000 people are reportedly dead, wounded or missing in Gaza" since the war there erupted just over a year ago.
"My gravest fear is, given the intensity, breadth, scale and blatant nature of the Israeli operation currently underway in northern Gaza, that number will rise dramatically."
"The bombing in North Gaza is non-stop," he said.
Israel, which has been fighting Hamas in Gaza since last year's deadly October 7 attack, launched a major air and ground assault in the north of the territory this month, saying it wanted to stop the militants from regrouping there.
Turk warned that Israel's policies in northern Gaza "risk emptying the area of all Palestinians".
"We are facing what could amount to atrocity crimes, including potentially extending to crimes against humanity."
Turk's statement pointed out that Palestinian armed groups are also operating among civilians, including in places of shelter, putting civilians in harm's way "which is totally unacceptable".
His statement stressed the urgency of the situation, warning that "today the darkest moment of the Gaza conflict is unfolding in the north of the Strip, where the Israeli military is effectively subjecting an entire population to bombing, siege and risk of starvation".
Genocide Convention
The International Court of Justice had made clear Israel's obligation to ensure the entry and delivery of desperately-needed humanitarian aid, Turk pointed out.
In particular, he highlighted the court's binding orders to ensure that Israel conforms with its obligations under the Genocide Convention, obligating other countries to act.
"Under the Genocide Convention, state parties also have the responsibility to act to prevent such a crime, when risk becomes apparent," he said.
Turk warned that "international rule of law is being progressively dismantled", and urged world leaders "not to abandon that minimum of humanity".
"Either the world ashamedly fails those who so desperately need help, or we stand united and put a stop to this."
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