NEW YORK, Tuesday, June 25, 2024 (WAFA) - Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process said the ongoing hostilities in Gaza are further fueling regional instability, stressing the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
“There is a deal on the table and it should be agreed – and fast. I welcome the efforts, including by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, to reach such a deal. The UN stands ready to support its implementation,” he said in a briefing after the UN Security Council meeting held today on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
The devastating impact of the hostilities on the civilian population in Gaza, and the unprecedented humanitarian crisis remain deeply alarming, he said.
Regarding aid delivery to Gaza, he stressed that effective mechanisms for humanitarian notification, safe conditions for humanitarian operations, and sufficient access to humanitarian needs remain sorely lacking and must be put in place without delay.
“Hunger and food insecurity persist. While projections of imminent famine in the northern governates have been averted through an increase in food deliveries, food insecurity has worsened in the south. Nearly all of Gaza’s population continues to face high levels of food insecurity, with nearly half a million people facing catastrophic insecurity.”
He welcomed the high-level conference convened on 11 June in Jordan, by Jordan, Egypt and the United Nations, which urged all parties to do their part to ensure we can fully address the urgent needs of the population in Gaza.
He said that the Palestinian Authority’s fiscal situation remains very precarious amidst broader economic and security concerns across the occupied West Bank. “Announcements by Israel’s Finance Minister that he intends to continue blocking the transfer of all clearance revenues to the PA, and to take measures that would end correspondent banking relations between Israeli and Palestinian banks at the end of this month threaten to plunge the Palestinian fiscal situation into an even greater crisis, potentially upending the entire Palestinian financial system.”
He also slammed the recent appointment of a civilian deputy for oversight of many areas of land management and development, planning, and day-to-day life in Area C of the occupied West Bank, which is expected to expedite Israeli settlement expansion and regularization under Israeli law of illegal outposts, as concerning acts that undermine the prospects for a Two-State solution.
He said the scope of death and destruction in Gaza has been catastrophic and horrifying. “Israel’s use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas has destroyed entire neighborhoods and damaged hospitals and other civilian infrastructure, schools, mosques, and United Nations premises. I unequivocally condemn the killing and maiming of civilians in Gaza, including women and children.”
“The protection of civilians is paramount in any armed conflict. International humanitarian law applies to all parties to a conflict at all times.”
The impact of the ongoing hostilities on the humanitarian situation in Gaza is deeply concerning. The life-threatening conditions facing the more than 1.7 million internally displaced people in Gaza, where nowhere is safe, must be addressed immediately, he added.
He said that the level of essential goods, including humanitarian assistance, that has been allowed into Gaza continues to fall short of meeting the needs of the population.
He further welcomed the financial contributions of donors to UNRWA, stressing that further financial support is needed to meet needs in Gaza and throughout the region, however, attacks on the Agency’s facilities and activities are deeply concerning.
Regarding colonial expansion in the occupied West Bank, he expressed deep trouble with continued Israeli colonial expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. “I reiterate that all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have no legal validity and are in flagrant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. I urge the Government of Israel to cease all settlement activity immediately.”
The escalating violence and tensions in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are deeply worrying, he said.
He urged Israel to ensure the safety and security of the Palestinian population.
I am encouraged by the PA’s reform plan. The United Nations will continue to support the PA to implement critical reforms and urges the international community to provide immediate support to address the PA’s financial challenges, strengthen its governance capacity and prepare it to reassume its responsibilities in Gaza.
“Palestinians and Israelis can no longer wait to establish a viable political horizon. Efforts to address security and humanitarian challenges that ignore or sidestep fundamental political questions are doomed to fail. All stakeholders must urgently take steps that will lead towards a Two-State reality. The UN will continue to support all such efforts.”
He said the United Nations remains committed to supporting steps towards ending the occupation and resolving the conflict in line with international law, relevant United Nations resolutions and bilateral agreements in pursuit of the vision of two States – Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian State – living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders, based on the pre-1967 lines.
T.R.
