“I am hugely relieved by the news of the first phase of a ceasefire in Gaza, and it is imperative that it now holds,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a statement.

“I urge parties to the conflict and all countries with influence to do everything in their power to ensure the success of next stages of the ceasefire, including the release of all hostages, and to end the war in its entirety.”

Turk said his thoughts were “with those who have suffered so much unbearable pain and misery over the past 15 months, and I hope for everyone’s sake that no one will ever have to go through this again”.

“Food, water, medicine, shelter and protection are the top priorities,” he added. “We have no time to lose.”

Turk also noted the need to pursue accountability and justice for violations committed in the conflict.

“Those responsible for the heinous acts of Oct 7, the subsequent unlawful killings of civilians across Gaza, and for all other crimes under international law must be held to account,” he said.

“The right of victims to full reparations must be upheld. There is no true way forward without honest truth-telling and accountability on all sides.”

He said human rights needed to be at the front and centre when reconstruction efforts become possible in Gaza.

And he called on the international community to take concrete steps to help bring about a lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

“Israel’s illegal continued presence in the occupied Palestinian Territory must end… and the internationally agreed two-state solution must become a reality,” he said.