I join UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk in his call for immediate action by world Leaders to bring about an end to the human tragedy unfolding in Gaza. By signing the Geneva Conventions, signatories have a legal responsibility to ensure adherence to international law by all parties involved. It is our duty to protect civilians and human rights, and it is high time to act on it.

The too little information coming out from North Gaza still attests to a catastrophic level of killing, destruction and starvation, in addition to forced displacements of civilians while an entire population is under bombings, siege and risk of starvation, as well as being forced to choose between displacement or death.

We need an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages. Civilians in Gaza also dramatically need rapid and unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout Gaza.

Since the beginning of this conflict, the EU has repeatedly called for compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law. We have emphasised the importance of respecting and implementing the orders of the International Court of Justice and UN Security Council resolutions, which are legally binding. I will continue fulfilling the EU advocacy role until appeals of the international community are genuinely heeded.

I hear the High Commissioner’s plea for action and, in turn, I exhort the international community to unite so that words can turn into real actions.