UN calls for immediate halt to violence in Gaza

The United Nation’s High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for an immediate halt to violence in Gaza.

Volker Tuerk said he was shocked by reports that hundreds of rockets had been fired towards Israel and reports that Israeli civilians have been taken hostage.

“This attack is having a horrific impact on Israeli civilians,” Tuerk said in a statement. “Civilians must never be the target of attack.”

He called on Israel to take precautions to avoid civilian casualties as it responded to the attacks with air strikes into Gaza.

“I call for an immediate stop to the violence, and appeal to all sides and key countries in the region to de-escalate to avoid further bloodshed,” Tuerk said.