NEW YORK, November 26, 2008 (WAFA)- The top United Nations political official voiced, Wednesday, regret that Palestinians and Israelis will probably not reach a peace agreement by the end of this year under the negotiating track launched last in the United States city of Annapolis, but noted that ongoing direct talks between the two sides are a positive sign.

“The parties stated that negotiations would continue uninterrupted, and that their goals remain a comprehensive peace agreement addressing all their issues, without exception,” Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe told the Security Council in an open meeting.

The inability of Israeli Prime Minister-designate Tzipi Livni to form a coalition government has prompted elections, which will be held next February, while the Palestinians “remain divided,” he said.

“Unfortunately, recent developments in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in Israel underscore that the gap between the political tracks and the situation on the ground remain large, posing considerable obstacles to the path that lies ahead,” Mr. Pascoe added.

For much of this month, Israeli Occupation Authorities restricted humanitarian access, as well as the entry of commercial and relief supplies, into Gaza. This resulted in UN agencies suspending the distribution of much-needed food aid for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Fuel shortages also forced power cuts and rolling blackouts.

Crossings into Gaza remain closed, and the lack of cooking gas has prevented nearly half of the area’s 71 bakeries from operating. Water-rationing is also impacting over half a million people, the official said.

In today’s briefing to the Council, Mr. Pascoe expressed concern over reports of human rights abuses committed in Gaza under the “de facto Hamas regime,” which has also apparently consolidated its control, divorcing Gaza’s institutions from those of the Palestinian National Authority.

He noted that in spite of the Palestinian Authority’s security efforts in the West Bank, there has been no major reduction in Israeli military attacks or easing of closures there.

“It is deeply regrettable that colonization activity in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is ongoing in the vast majority of colonies,” the Under-Secretary-General said.

 “Our shared goal remains clear, an end to the occupation that began in 1967, and the achievement of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel,” he added, citing the Roadmap goal of Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace, originally slated for completion by the end of 2005.