The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has accused both the Israeli military and the Palestinian Islamic group Hamas of committing war crimes.
Volker Turk spoke to reporters on Wednesday after visiting the Rafah checkpoint on the Gaza-Egypt border.
Turk described the Hamas attacks on Israeli territory on October 7 and the group's holding of hostages as "heinous" and "brutal" war crimes.
He added that the collective punishment by Israel of Palestinian civilians also amounts to a war crime, as does the unlawful forcible evacuation of civilians.
Turk called for an immediate ceasefire to protect the rights of civilians.