UN warns Israeli Gaza offensive puts civilians in grave danger

UN human rights chief Volker Turk urges immediate ceasefire and warns of “dehumanisation” amid Gaza crisis.

Palestinians check the damage at a UNRWA school sheltering displaced families after an Israeli strike hit the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, on May 7, 2025. Photo by Eyad Baba/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The United Nations' top human rights official, Volker Turk, issued a stark warning on Wednesday, saying Israel's proposed expanded military campaign in the Gaza Strip represents a “very dangerous moment” for civilians trapped in the besieged territory. The Israeli Gaza offensive, which officials say could lead to a full-scale “conquest” of the Palestinian enclave, has already drawn international condemnation and raised fears of unprecedented civilian suffering.

“What we see is only more destruction, more hatred, more dehumanisation,” Turk told AFP during his visit to Copenhagen for a UN conference. “It’s a very dangerous moment for civilians,” he added, emphasising the urgency of halting the planned offensive and restoring basic human rights and dignity.

Israel’s expanding military strategy draws criticism

On Monday, Israeli officials confirmed plans for a broader campaign in Gaza, which Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich later said would result in the Gaza Strip being “entirely destroyed.” The Israeli Gaza offensive, described by some as an attempt at total domination of the territory, has provoked global outrage and further strained already frayed regional stability.

The intensifying conflict follows months of violence since the outbreak of war in October 2023. Thousands of civilians have been killed or displaced, basic services have collapsed, and much of Gaza's infrastructure lies in ruins. In this context, Turk’s warning is not merely diplomatic language—it reflects the growing consensus among humanitarian agencies and global leaders that the Israeli military campaign in Gaza could turn into one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of the 21st century.

Volker Turk urged the international community to act swiftly to prevent further loss of life and degradation of human rights. “There needs to be a ceasefire, a political solution,” he said, adding that the release of hostages must be immediate and unconditional. He stressed the importance of restoring humanitarian access and lifting the blockade that Israel has enforced on Gaza.

“The blockade needs to be lifted immediately,” Turk stated. “Humanitarian assistance needs to come in. That’s an obligation under international law.” With aid convoys struggling to enter the territory and food, water, and medical supplies dwindling, Turk’s demand underscores the urgency of addressing the deepening crisis.

International law mandates unimpeded access to humanitarian aid, yet the current Israeli Gaza offensive has restricted entry points and delayed much-needed supplies. Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed, and displaced civilians are living in makeshift camps under constant threat of bombardment.

Several countries have voiced concern over Israel's rhetoric and tactics, calling for restraint and respect for international norms. The United Nations, European Union, and numerous humanitarian NGOs have repeatedly called for an end to hostilities. Turk added his voice to those appeals, saying it was time “to come to a place of reason and peace, and not just of continuous fighting and war.”

The human rights chief’s comments were not limited to the Israeli Gaza offensive. He also used the moment to criticize broader geopolitical dysfunction, saying that the UN Security Council is failing to address what he called “the big crisis of our time.”

A broken system in need of reform

“The UN Security Council is not functioning well,” Turk said, highlighting how political divisions among world powers have stalled meaningful action on Gaza and other pressing global crises. He argued that the current crisis underlined the importance of reaffirming the principles of international cooperation and human rights that have been in place since the end of World War II.

“With what is happening at the moment, in this current geopolitical moment, it is all the more important to come back to the principles, the values, to the norms, to the institutions, because they have served humanity well for 80 years,” Turk said. “And if we lose them, we lose a lot of what has been actually possible by way of progress, human progress, development, and also when it comes to humanitarian action and human rights.”

His comments reflect growing concerns that global institutions are being undermined at a time when international solidarity is most needed. The paralysis of the Security Council, where veto power has stymied resolutions on the Gaza crisis, has frustrated diplomats and human rights advocates alike.

While international pressure mounts on Israel, ceasefire talks have hit an impasse. The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which governs Gaza, said this week that ceasefire negotiations are “pointless” under current conditions. With both sides hardening their positions, the path toward a political solution appears increasingly narrow.

Still, Turk insisted that diplomacy must not be abandoned. “We need political leadership... including the most powerful countries around the world, that they act in favour of peace and not in favour of war,” he said.

His statement was a clear call to nations with significant geopolitical influence—such as the United States, China, Russia, and EU member states—to step in and mediate a lasting resolution that prioritizes civilian protection, humanitarian access, and adherence to international law.

A humanitarian system on the brink

As the Israeli Gaza offensive intensifies, aid agencies continue to sound the alarm. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Médecins Sans Frontières, and the World Food Programme have all reported extreme difficulties in delivering aid due to both the ongoing blockade and constant bombardment.

The Gaza Strip, home to more than 2.3 million Palestinians, is now experiencing catastrophic levels of food insecurity. Over 80% of the population is displaced, according to UN data. Schools have been turned into shelters, hospitals have become battlegrounds, and children are growing up amid destruction and trauma.

The UN’s warning comes not only as a condemnation of Israeli military actions but also as a plea to the world to reassert its commitment to fundamental human rights. “This is a defining moment,” Turk said, urging immediate international action to prevent further humanitarian disaster.

While the Israeli government insists the offensive is necessary to eliminate Hamas and ensure long-term security, critics argue the approach risks entrenching animosity, further radicalising the region, and worsening the humanitarian toll.

The focus now shifts to whether global actors can broker a deal that stops the violence, secures humanitarian aid corridors, and initiates credible political negotiations. Without these steps, the Israeli Gaza offensive will continue to devastate a population already pushed to the brink.

For Volker Turk and the UN, the message is clear: peace must prevail over war, humanity over hostility. The window to act is narrowing, but it has not yet closed.