The UN’s Middle East envoy said on Tuesday he was “deeply
alarmed” at the continuing cycle of violence in Israel and
Palestine, and “appalled by the continued loss of civilian
lives.”
Special Coordinator for
the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland was reacting on Twitter to
the news of a shooting attack reportedly by two Palestinian
gunmen, who opened fire at a petrol station on a road outside an
Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank.
News reports quoting the Israeli military said both of the gunmen
had been shot dead, one at the scene by an armed civilian and the
other by Israeli security forces.
The UN envoy urged “all sides to refrain from steps
that could further enflame an already volatile
situation.”
Jenin camp raid
Tuesday’s violence followed a day of bloodshed on Monday, when at
least five Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces
during an operation inside the Jenin refugee camp prompting Mr.
Wennesland to voice his deep concern over the escalating
violence.
He tweeted that the
Israeli operation and ensuing exchange of fire with Palestinian
militants in the occupied West Bank city resulted in five dead
including a child.
Scores of Palestinians and seven Israeli security personnel were
reportedly wounded.
Return to ‘political path’
“Such escalations threaten to plunge Palestine and
Israel deeper into a deadly crisis”, he said. “All sides
must refrain from actions that would further escalate the
situation and take steps to reengage on a political path.”
According to news reports, the confrontation involved Israeli
forces entering the camp before dawn on Monday. An Israeli
helicopter fired missiles in response to militants targeting
troop carriers with explosives.
The helicopter reportedly opened fire as forces were attempting
to extract soldiers and stranded vehicles.
Israel has been intensifying raids in the West Bank for months
now carrying out searches, arrests and home demolitions, amid a
reported rise in attacks from Palestinian militants targeting
Israelis. More than 160 Palestinians have been killed in the West
Bank and Gaza Strip since the start of the year, with 21 Israeli
deaths.
Guterres ‘deeply troubled’ over settlements plan
On Monday night, the UN Secretary-General António
Guterres issued a
statement saying he was “deeply troubled” by the
Israeli Government’s decision to amend its settlement planning
procedures in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Reiterating concerns expressed earlier in the day by Mr.
Wennesland over the plans which are expected to expedite illegal
Israeli settlement expansion – overhauling policies in place
since 1996 – the UN chief said he was also “deeply alarmed”
over the likely Government announcement next week of
4,000 new settlement housing units.
“The Secretary-General reiterates that settlements are
a flagrant violation of international law”,
said the statement issued by his Spokesperson.
“They are a major obstacle to the realization of a viable
two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.
The expansion of these illegal settlements is
a significant driver of tensions and
violence and deepens humanitarian needs.”
He said the move would further entrench the occupation, while
encroaching on Palestinian land and natural resources.
It will also further hamper the free movement of the population
and undermine Palestinians’ right to self-determination and
sovereignty.
“The Secretary-General urges the Government of Israel
to halt and reverse such
decisions and to immediately and completely cease
all settlement activities in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory and to fully respect its legal
obligations in that regard.”
He also called for “further concrete steps” to put in place
de-escalation measures to stem the rising violence, agreed
between Israeli and Palestinians in recent months in the form of
Joint Communiqués in Aqaba, Jordan and Sharm al-Sheik.
