Geneva, Apr 24 (IANS): The United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk has condemned recent Israeli strikes in Rafah that resulted in the deaths of many women and children.

In a statement on Tuesday, Turk also warned against a full-scale incursion into an area with more than 1.2 million civilians, saying it would violate international humanitarian and human rights law, likely leading to more atrocities, Xinhua news agency reported.

In March, the UN Security Council called for an immediate ceasefire, he stressed.

Moreover, he stressed the need for global solidarity to protect civilians in Rafah, recalling recent tragedies such as a premature baby delivered from a mother who had been mortally wounded in an air strike and the deaths of numerous children and women in separate strikes.

The UN Human Rights Chief called for immediate actions to halt this suffering, calling for independent investigations into reports of mass graves and the destruction of medical facilities.

He stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian aid.