27.06.2026 14:54
The President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly's Justice Commission and AK Party Istanbul Deputy Cüneyt Yüksel made striking statements regarding the latest UN report on Gaza. Stating that the findings in the report are extremely severe, Yüksel said there is strong evidence that Palestinian children are being directly targeted.
Chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Justice Commission and AK Party Istanbul Deputy Cüneyt Yüksel made statements regarding the latest report published by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, established by the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Stating that the findings in the report are extremely serious and striking, Yüksel expressed that the international community no longer has the luxury of ignoring the events in Gaza.
"IT REVEALS THE INTENT OF GENOCIDE"
In his statement, Yüksel made the following assessments: “The latest report of the independent international commission of inquiry established by the United Nations indicates that Israeli security forces deliberately targeted Palestinian children, revealing the intent of genocide, and that the acts committed in Gaza should be considered under genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
The report states that at least 20,179 children lost their lives between October 7, 2023, and October 7, 2025, with children constituting approximately 30 percent of total fatalities. This rate is even higher than those recorded in previous Gaza conflicts. This picture clearly demonstrates that what is happening cannot be considered an ordinary armed conflict.”
"TARGETING CHILDREN IS TARGETING THE FUTURE"
Stating that Israel continues to use high-explosive munitions in densely populated civilian areas, Yüksel noted that the continuation of attacks despite the extraordinary increase in child deaths has extremely serious consequences under international law.
Yüksel said, “The commission report indicates that there is strong evidence that Palestinian children are not merely indirect victims of the conflict but are directly targeted. Targeting children is targeting the future of a people. A mindset that targets children actually targets the will of a nation to exist.”
DREW ATTENTION TO THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN GAZA
Stating that access to food, medicine, and humanitarian aid is blocked due to the blockade imposed on Gaza, Yüksel said that hunger, forced displacement, and the collapse of health services severely violate children's rights to life and development.
Yüksel said, “The report revealing that attacks on neonatal units, health centers, and maternal-child health services have led to an increase in miscarriages and infant mortality is extremely grave. It is stated that almost all children in Gaza need psychological support. This situation threatens not only the present but also the future of the region.”
EMPHASIS ON THE WEST BANK AND EAST JERUSALEM
Stating that the report also includes serious violations against Palestinian children in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Yüksel reminded that practices such as torture, sexual violence, degrading treatment, forced stripping, beatings, and starvation during mass arrests have been documented.
Yüksel said, “The commission has concluded that these practices constitute genocide, torture, and crimes against humanity. Subjecting children to systematic ill-treatment cannot be considered legitimate by any legal system.”
"REMAINING SILENT IS TURNING YOUR BACK ON THE COMMON CONSCIENCE"
Emphasizing that international law cannot be applied selectively, Yüksel concluded his statement: “Remaining silent in the face of what is happening in Gaza is turning your back on the common conscience of humanity. The evaluation of the findings presented by international organizations by independent judicial authorities, holding those responsible accountable, and securing the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people is now a legal as well as a moral necessity. As Turkey, we will continue to stand by the oppressed Palestinian people, especially the children, as we have done until today.”