UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, stated on Saturday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan for Gaza represents a “key opportunity” to end the massacre and suffering on the Palestinian territory once and for all.
Turk expressed hope that momentum toward ending the Gaza war would “open the way for a permanent ceasefire, followed by recovery and reconstruction”, in accordance with international human rights law and humanitarian law, and could lead to the long-needed two-state solution, his office said on social media platform X, as reported by AFP.
“This is a crucial opportunity for all parties and influential states to act in good faith, end the massacre and suffering in Gaza once and for all, flood Gaza with humanitarian aid, and ensure the release of hostages and many Palestinian detainees,” the statement added.
The U.S. plan includes:
- A ceasefire,
- Release of hostages within 72 hours,
- Gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza,
- Disarmament of Hamas, and
- Exile of Hamas fighters from Gaza.
The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomed the plan, including the potential to rebuild hospitals, while WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that “peace is the best medicine.”
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Hamas movement, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and EU, stated on Friday that it is ready for urgent negotiations regarding the release of Israeli hostages and ending the war, as part of Trump’s proposed plan.
Israel, on Saturday, announced preparations to implement the first phase of Trump’s plan to free all hostages, without mentioning a halt to bombing, while later clarifying that its military operations in Gaza will continue despite calls from hostages’ families and Trump to suspend attacks, as a deal with Hamas on hostage release appears possible.
