New Delhi: In his address to the UN Human Rights Council on June 15, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, noted that in Gaza, Israeli forces have killed almost 1,000 Palestinians since the ceasefire was announced last October. Most of those killed were civilians, Türk said.Giving the ‘Global Update’ to the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council, Türk noted that Israeli authorities are pushing Palestinians into an “ever-shrinking portion of the territory and imposing restrictions on lifesaving aid.”Türk also highlighted conflicts in Iran, Lebanon, Sudan, Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, condemning civilian deaths, repression and impunity. He expressed concern over authoritarianism, attacks on journalists and activists, rising discrimination, anti-migrant policies and threats to women’s and LGBTQ+ rights. “An unprecedented, shameless onslaught against international law is causing appalling human suffering,” Türk noted.On Palestine’s West Bank, Türk said that Israeli security forces and settlers are accelerating the destruction of communities and the annexation of territory. “So far this year, they have killed 57 people, injured nearly 1,300, detained hundreds, and issued 23 land confiscation orders,” he said.Separately, Gaza’s Health Ministry said that the confirmed total death toll in Gaza since October 7, 2023, has surpassed 73,000 people. Nearly 175,000 injuries have been reported.Türk also noted that since the ceasefire, the UN Human Rights Council has recorded at least 82 reported killings of Palestinians by Hamas.UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Türk Global Update to the 61st session of the Human Rights Council. 27/02/2026 © OHCHR“Some senior Israeli officials have spoken publicly of the removal of all Palestinians from Gaza, and of ending any possibility of a viable Palestinian state. All of this is totally illegal,” he said before adding, “We are out of red flags. Our many previous warnings have not been heeded.”Türk urged “all those with influence” to necessarily exert pressure to make the ceasefire a reality, “to end the unbearable suffering of Palestinians, and to hold those responsible to account.”UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also touched upon the bail to Kashmiri activist Khurram Parvez without naming him, saying, “In India, following welcome court decisions to grant bail to human rights defenders who have been in lengthy pre-trial detention, I urge their immediate release.”