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Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Office in Vienna

The United Nations Human Rights Office on Friday called on Israeli authorities to monitor senior officials, saying their public statements on the Gaza conflict could facilitate war crimes.

OHCHR spokesman Lawrence said that the High Commissioner for Human Rights Türk was "shocked" by the remarks made by Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich, who said that it was "reasonable and moral" to let the two million Palestinians in Gaza starve as long as Israeli hostages were held by Hamas.

Türk condemned these remarks in the strongest terms, noting that they also incited hatred against innocent civilians.

Risk of incitement to violence

Lawrence said starving civilians as a method of warfare and collective punishment of the Palestinian people are both war crimes.

"Such direct and public statements run the risk of inciting other atrocities. These statements, especially by government officials, must cease immediately. These statements must be investigated and if found to constitute a crime, they must be pursued and punished according to law," he said.