Gaza stands at “yet another precipice of further catastrophe” as
the latest round of hostage negotiations in Cairo failed to reach
an agreement, a senior UN official warned the Security Council on
Monday.
Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace
Process, underscored the need for continuing the vital
discussions, which have been supported by Egypt, Qatar and the
United States.
“If talks do not resume, I fear for the worst for the
beleaguered and terrified civilians in Rafah, for the hostages
held in unimaginable conditions for more than 225 days,
and for an overstretched humanitarian operation that remains on
the brink in the Gaza Strip,” he said.
‘Immediate priority, saving lives'
Over 1.2 million Palestinians displaced from elsewhere in Gaza
have been sheltering in Rafah, with over 810,000 displaced
again since the Israeli military offensive there began
on 6 May.
“Saving lives and addressing the critical needs in Rafah and Gaza
more broadly must remain our immediate priority,” Mr. Wennesland
stressed.
“At the same time, we must not lose sight of the risks that these
immediate threats pose to prospects for a resolution to this
conflict and for longer term peace and stability in the region.”
‘Running out of words'
Also briefing ambassadors, Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations
at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA), highlighted the dire
humanitarian situation in Rafah and the wider Gaza Strip.
“To be frank, we are running out of words to describe
what is happening in Gaza. We have described it as a
catastrophe, a nightmare, as hell on earth. It is all of these,
and worse,” she said, adding that the situation deteriorates by
the day.
More than 35,000 people have been killed and 79,000 wounded,
according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
‘Committed to stay and deliver'
Ms. Wosornu underscored that the UN and relief partners “are
committed to staying and delivering”.
She welcomed the aid shipment via the floating dock set up by
the US, adding however, that due to the current closure of the
Rafah crossing and limited access via Kerem Shalom and
Rafah, humanitarians lack the supplies and fuel “to
provide any meaningful level of support”.
The senior OCHA official reiterated that civilians, their houses
and the infrastructure they depend on must be protected, and that
rapid, unimpeded passage of aid into and within Gaza must be
facilitated.
She also highlighted the need for sufficient funding,
particularly for the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees
(UNRWA) “the central pillar
of our aid operation”.
‘Deadly consequences of inaction'
In his briefing, Mr. Wennesland emphasized that a lasting
solution in Gaza requires a “fundamentally political” approach.
He highlighted the importance of the new Palestinian
Government, which includes eight ministers from Gaza,
and its potential to unify Gaza and the West Bank politically,
economically, and administratively.
Urging the international community to support the new Government,
the senior UN official also underscored the urgency of
establishing a viable political framework to end the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict and achieve a two-State solution.
“Day after day we are witnessing the deadly consequences
of inaction. Now is the time to lay the foundations for
a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and the broader
region. The UN will continue to support all such efforts,” he
concluded.
