The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Türk, has warned of "ethnic cleansing" in Hebron due to Israeli threats to forcibly empty neighborhoods, following an operation that has displaced more than 2,000 Palestinians. Türk calls for the end of the sweeping steps taken and condemns collective punishment as a grave violation of international law.
Key points
The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Türk, has expressed serious concerns about…: The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Türk, has expressed serious concerns about Israeli threats to forcibly empty neighborhoods in Hebron.
This comes after an Israeli operation in Hebron has displaced more than 2,000 Palestinian…: This comes after an Israeli operation in Hebron has displaced more than 2,000 Palestinians.
Türk calls for the end of sweeping steps taken and condemns collective punishment as a gr…: Türk calls for the end of sweeping steps taken and condemns collective punishment as a grave violation of international law.
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UN human rights chief warns of 'ethnic cleansing' in Hebron
26 October 2026 17:04 GMT
UN human rights chief Volker Türk said Israeli threats to empty neighborhoods in Hebron raise "serious concerns of ethnic cleansing."
Türk's comments come as an Israeli operation in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, which began on Friday, has forcibly displaced more than 2,000 Palestinians from the city.
"The sweeping steps taken raise grave concerns of unnecessary and disproportionate use of force - which must end," Türk said.
"Collective punishment is a grave violation of international Law," he added.
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