The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, calls for a halt to Israel's plan for military control of the Gaza Strip and the immediate release of hostages.

Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has condemned the Israeli government's plan to take full military control of the Gaza Strip as contrary to the ruling of the International Court of Justice. He warns that the plan will lead to further suffering and destruction, while calling for international aid to be allowed into Gaza. Türk also calls for the unconditional release of hostages and Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel.