New Delhi, Aug. 7 -- Rwanda-backed rebels killed at least 319 people over the past month in eastern Congo, the U.N. human rights chief said Wednesday, describing the toll as one of the largest documented in such attacks since the M23 rebels resurfaced in 2022.

Citing firsthand accounts, U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement that the rebels, backed by members of the Rwandan Defense Force, targeted four villages in North Kivu province's Rutshuru territory between July 9 and July 21.

The continuing violence could threaten Qatar-led efforts to get Congo and the rebels to sign a permanent peace deal by the goal of Aug. 18. One of the deal's conditions is the protection of civilians and safe return of millions of people disp...