Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace
Process, told ambassadors that “there is still no end in sight”
as the war approaches its 140-day mark.
“No end to the trauma of those impacted by the horrors unleashed
on 7 October. No end to the suffering and desperation the people
in Gaza. No end to the regional turmoil.”
Mr. Wennesland visited Gaza this week and described the
humanitarian situation there as shocking, unsustainable and
desperate.
Humanitarian situation
Internally displaced Palestinians are facing acute shortages of
food, water, shelter and medicine, while communicable diseases
are rising sharply unsanitary conditions and there is a “near
total breakdown” in law and order.
He added that his Humanitarian Coordinator has a plan to deliver
the essentials – food, shelter, medicine and water/sanitation –
but the UN’s capacity to deliver depends on coordinated
humanitarian movements, effective deconfliction with the parties
and Israeli approvals for essential communications equipment and
armored vehicles – “all of which provide the minimum conditions
for staff to work safely.”
“This must be improved – UN convoys and compounds must not be hit
and our equipment needs clearance,” he stressed.
“Keeping Gaza on a drip-feed not only deprives a desperate
population of life-saving support, it drives even greater chaos
that further impedes humanitarian delivery,” he added.
Dialogue, not violence
Warning that the scale of the emergency could quickly spiral out
of control in the region, Mr. Wennesland appealed for a
collective, coordinated and comprehensive response to not only
address the immediate crisis before us in Gaza, but to help
restore a political horizon for Palestinians and Israelis, alike.
“To do this, we urgently need a deal to achieve a humanitarian
ceasefire and the release of hostages,” he stressed, adding also
the need to create the space for dialogue over violence.
“Ultimately, the only long-term solution for Gaza is political,”
said Mr. Wennesland.
“While taking into account Israel’s legitimate security concern,
there must be a clear path toward restoring single, effective
Palestinian governance across the OPT (occupied Palestinian
Territory), including in Gaza,” he added.
Two-State solution
Alongside, international support to strengthening and reforming
the Palestinian Authority to improve domestic and international
legitimacy will be crucial.
To create these conditions, Mr. Wennesland called for time bound
political framework to end the occupation and establish a
two-State solution in line with relevant UN resolutions,
international law and bilateral agreements.
“These efforts must coalesce and accelerate if we are to emerge
from this nightmare into a trajectory that can provide
Palestinians and Israelis with the chance of lasting peace,” he
concluded.
