Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are living in "apocalyptic" circumstances, the UN human rights chief says, as he pleads for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Volker Turk adds there was a high risk of atrocity crimes being committed in such "catastrophic" humanitarian circumstances." Israel declared war on Hamas after the militant group's October 7 attacks that killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and which saw around 240 hostages taken back to Gaza, according to Israeli authorities. Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas and secure the release of all the hostages. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says the war has killed more than 16,200 people in the territory, most of them women and children. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES