The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, welcomed the Security Council’s call for pauses in the fighting in Gaza. He condemned the targeting of civilians and urged accountability for gross rights violations. Turk also highlighted the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza and stressed the need to put hostilities on hold to allow for humanitarian action. He echoed the 10-point plan presented by the UN emergency relief chief and warned against the proposal for a so-called “safe zone”. Turk also emphasized the need for justice and accountability and called for access to both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory for independent monitoring. He mentioned the crisis extending beyond Gaza, with a potentially explosive situation in the occupied West Bank. Finally, he warned against the trap of further polarization and urged finding common ground and a solution.