In a briefing to the Security CouncilTor Wennesland emphasized the urgent need for all parties to change course.
“We must agree on the release of the hostages and impose an immediate ceasefire. There is absolutely no time to lose,” he said, stressing that stopping the fighting is essential for a comprehensive humanitarian response.
At the same time, efforts to prevent the situation from deteriorating must be linked to a long-term political strategy to ensure continued success.
“We should build the framework for Gaza’s recovery and do it in a way that moves us tangibly toward, rather than away from, a long-term political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” he added. Wennesland to it.
No long-term Israeli army in Gaza
He reiterated key principles, including that there should be no Israeli military presence in Gaza in the long term, while addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns, especially in the wake of the attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on October 7, 2023.
He underlined that Gaza must remain part of a future Palestinian state, without any territorial reduction, and remain united with the West Bank under a recognized Palestinian government.
Painful situation, increasing tensions
The situation in Gaza remains dire, which has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis and foreigners since October 7. The fate of the 125 hostages held in Gaza remains elusive as an agreement on a ceasefire and release of hostages remains blocked.
Nearly two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been driven from their homes, often several times, and about 100,000 Israelis from their communities in the north and south of the country.
Violence continues in the occupied West Bank, with large-scale Israeli operations and deadly exchanges with armed Palestinians, along with increasing settler violence and attacks by Palestinians against Israelis.
Regional tensions are high, marked by exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah and other armed groups in Lebanon, airstrikes and Houthi attacks on international shipping, with recent escalations between Israel and Iran further increasing the risk of a wider conflict.
UN photo/Loey Felipe
A broad view of the Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza.
Relief efforts compromised
Despite these challenges, humanitarian workers continue to provide lifesaving assistance under dangerous conditions.
“The unsafe conditions resulting from a dangerously flawed humanitarian reporting mechanism are exacerbated by overcrowding, desperation and the breakdown of law and order, endangering humanitarian operations and costing the lives of humanitarian workers, including some 200 UN employees,” Mr Wennesland said.
He recalled the opening of two border crossings in northern Gaza and the entry of humanitarian supplies from Ashdod and Jordan. However, he stressed that these measures are insufficient and called for the immediate reopening of the Rafah crossing in the south and unhindered humanitarian access to all of Gaza.
Make difficult political choices
Finally, the Special Coordinator emphasized that the political framework now established will have a significant impact on the future governance of Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing war in Gaza, it is crucial to make “tough political choices” now, he said. He added that failure to lay the foundation for a lasting solution to the long-standing conflict and an end to the occupation “will reverberate for generations.” ”.
The causes of the conflict must be addressed, including violence, settlement progress and militant activities, and Israel must stop measures that undermine the Palestinian Authority, Mr Wennesland added.
“Palestinians and Israelis urgently need a political horizon. Without this, there is no sustainable path out of the suffering and misery we witness every day.”
