Middle East
The United Nations Middle East peace process coordinator, Tor Wennesland, delivered a stark warning to the UN Security Council on Tuesday about the “dangerous junction” the region has reached amidst the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
He emphasized that the violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the broader region continues to escalate with no signs of abating.
Wennesland described the situation as “the most dangerous juncture in the Middle East in decades,” citing the recent Israeli airstrike in Beit Lahiya, which reportedly left 90 Palestinians dead or missing, including at least 25 children.
Wennesland called the genocide in Gaza a “horrific humanitarian nightmare,” highlighting the devastating impact of Israeli airstrikes and the mass casualties in the northern part of Gaza.
He warned that the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are rapidly unraveling, with the situation deteriorating at an alarming pace.
The UN envoy recounted his recent visit to Gaza, where he witnessed the near-total destruction of infrastructure, stating that he could only see two buildings that had not been either fully or partially destroyed.
This devastation, he stressed, underscores the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis and pushing for a sustainable political resolution.
In addition to addressing the Gaza conflict, Wennesland expressed concern about the escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, as well as the ongoing clashes between Hezbollah and Israel, which have caused civilian casualties and massive displacement.
He also noted that Israel had conducted dozens of airstrikes in Syria in the past month, contributing to the instability in the region.
Wennesland denounced the Israeli Knesset’s decision to pass a law banning the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), warning that this not only undermines the UN’s humanitarian efforts but also threatens the possibility of a political resolution based on international law and UN resolutions.
He stressed that any long-term solution to the crisis in Gaza must be political, and called for an end to the occupation and the establishment of a two-state solution.
The envoy condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, including the widespread killing and displacement of civilians, and the mistreatment of detainees.
He urged the international community to facilitate access to essential humanitarian aid, including food, shelter materials, medicine, and fuel, to address the critical needs of the population in Gaza, particularly as winter approaches.
Wennesland also voiced concern over the deteriorating situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where violence remains at alarming levels.
He called on Israel to protect the Palestinian population and ensure accountability for acts of violence, urging a fundamental shift in the approach to improve humanitarian operations and create conditions for peace in the region.
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