UN Rights Chief Condemns “Genocidal Rhetoric” as Gaza Crisis Deepens
Tensions escalate as Israel issues new threats against Hamas, while calls for international intervention grow louder.
Trump Issues “Last Warning” to Hamas
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Hamas must accept his proposed terms for a prisoner release deal, calling it his “last warning.”
“The Israelis have accepted my terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well,” Trump said in a social media post, adding that failure to do so would carry consequences. Speaking to reporters, he expressed optimism that “a deal on Gaza” could be reached soon.
Hamas Responds with Conditional Offer
Following Trump’s remarks, Hamas announced it was ready to sit at the negotiating table. The group said it sought a “clear declaration of the end of the war, full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and an independent Palestinian committee to manage the territory.”
Last month, Hamas accepted a 60-day ceasefire proposal with staggered prisoner releases, while Israel insisted on a complete and immediate release of captives along with Hamas’ disarmament and withdrawal from governance in Gaza.
Israel Steps Up Warnings
On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged residents of Gaza City to evacuate as the Israeli military intensified its operations. The army reported that four soldiers were killed after an explosive device struck their tank in the area.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz delivered a stark message to Hamas: “Release the hostages and put down your weapons or Gaza will be destroyed, and you will be annihilated.” He also warned that “a massive hurricane” of attacks would soon hit Gaza City.
UN Rights Chief Raises Alarm
At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, High Commissioner Volker Turk condemned senior Israeli officials for using what he described as “openly genocidal rhetoric.”
“I am horrified by the disgraceful dehumanisation of Palestinians and the calls that amount to incitement of genocide,” Turk said. He stressed that Israel has a “legal obligation” to comply with International Court of Justice orders to prevent genocide, punish incitement, and ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.
Turk added that Gaza had become “a graveyard” and warned that further militarisation and occupation would only “fuel more violence and terror.” His office noted that dehumanising language was being used repeatedly, not as an isolated incident.
Rising Civilian Toll
The Palestinian health ministry reported that Israeli forces killed two teenagers at a refugee camp in Jenin on Monday. The victims were identified as Islam Abdel Aziz Nouh Majarmeh and Muhammad Sari Omar Masqala, both 14 years old. According to Palestinian news agency Wafa, the boys were shot when residents attempted to retrieve belongings from their damaged homes.
