UN rights chief says human rights must guide Gaza's recovery, lasting peace

"There is a collective global relief at the signs that this war and human suffering are coming to an end at last," Turk said in a statement. "At this critical stage, all hands on deck are needed to ensure this momentum carries through to a lasting peace and security for all those living in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory."

The human rights chief said achieving lasting peace would require "tremendous efforts and the goodwill of all those involved in this conflict and the international community." He stressed that accountability, justice, and human dignity must be at the core of future steps.

"It is also about accountability for the egregious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law that have taken place over the past two years," Turk said.

Turk underlined the need to restore access to food, clean water, shelter, and medical care across Gaza and ensure Palestinians can participate in decisions shaping their governance. He reiterated that the right to self-determination must be recognized and called for inclusive political processes leading to a two-state solution, in line with UN resolutions and international law.