Only a political solution will end the “senseless and costly
cycles of violence” between Israelis and Palestinians, UN Middle
East envoy Tor Wennesland said in a briefing to the Security
Council on Thursday.
Ambassadors met in person in New York as a fragile cessation of
hostilities continues to hold, following 11 days of deadly
conflict this month which engulfed the Occupied Palestinian
Territory and several cities across Israel.
“These recent events have made clear once again the costs of
perpetual conflict and lost hope”, said Mr Wennesland,
officially the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace
Process.
He spoke via teleconference from Jerusalem, and shortly after the
UN and partners announced a $95 million flash
appeal to support people in Gaza and the West Bank, including
East Jerusalem.
Political and humanitarian response
Mr Wennesland stressed the need for the sides to return to the
negotiating table, though warning against a “business as usual”
approach.
“At the end, it is the lack of the proverbial 'light at the end
of the tunnel' - of a political horizon - after decades of
conflict, that kills hope and provides space for those not
interested in sustainable peace. ”, he said.
“Only through negotiations that end the occupation and create a
viable two-State solution, on the basis of UN resolutions,
international law and mutual agreements, with Jerusalem as the
capital of both States, can we hope to bring a definitive end to
these senseless and costly cycles of violence.”
‘Hell on Earth’
The latest conflict between Israel and armed groups in Gaza was
among the most intense hostilities witnessed in years.
Mr Wennesland reported that Hamas and other militants fired more
than 4,000 rockets from Gaza, a significant number of which were
intercepted by Israel’s air defense system, Iron Dome, while
Israel carried out over 1,500 strikes against what it said were
militant targets.
The UN estimates more than 250 Palestinians were killed,
including whole families, with 66 children among the victims. In
Israel, 13 people were killed: nine civilians, two of them
children, as well as three foreigners and a soldier.
Relentless airstrikes forced some 70,000 people in Gaza to seek
refuge in schools run by the UN agency which assists the
Palestinian people, UNRWA.
Staff who ventured out daily amid the fighting to help them
described the period as “health on earth”, said UNRWA chief
Philippe Lazzarini, speaking from its headquarters in East
Jerusalem.
Strengthen UN agency
Mr. Lazzarini was in Gaza earlier this week. He said practically
everyone he met reported feeling terrified and traumatized.
“I met parents who, every night, asked themselves whether to have
all their children sleep near them or to spread them around the
house”, he said. “Should they all die together? Or should they
try to save some by scattering them?”
Mr. Lazzarini stated that until there is a political solution to
the conflict, only a strong UNRWA can bring “a sense of
normality” into the lives of Palestinians. He underscored the
need for reliable and sufficient funding for its work in
delivering essential services, such as education.
The UN and partners said at least 57 schools, nine hospitals and
19 primary health care centres were either partially or
completely damaged in the fighting, which occurred as Gaza’s
embattled health system was dealing with the burden of COVID-19.
Building back Gaza
The $95 million appeal, launched in Jerusalem on Thursday,
targets one million people over the next three months, in the
areas of protection, health, water and sanitation, education and
food security.
Speaking to journalists in New York, UN Humanitarian Coordinator
for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lynn Hastings, noted that
while buildings can be repaired, the concern is over how repeated
conflicts impact the psycho-social well-being of Gazans,
particularly children.
“But while the immediate needs on the ground have been outlined
in the flash appeal launched today…all of us need to ensure that
we are not repeating the mistakes that keep bringing us back to
having to rebuild Gaza”, she said
