Occupied Palestinian Territory: Security Council hears of ongoing violence, ‘relentless’ Israeli settlement expansion
Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Politics and Peacebuilding (DPPA), presented the latest quarterly report on implementation Council Resolution 2334 (2016).
It calls on Israel to immediately and completely end all settlement activity in the OPT, including East Jerusalem, and to take immediate steps to stop all acts of violence against civilians.
Conflict continues in Gaza
Mr Khiari said hostility and violence had continued throughout the OPT since the report was submitted.
Among the incidents was the alleged killing of at least 69 Palestinians between December 14 and 15 in four Israeli airstrikes on schools in Gaza housing displaced persons. This included 20 people killed at a school run by the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA in Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, more than 250 Palestinians have been killed in such attacks in the past week. Authorities said the death toll from the war exceeded 45,000, while Israeli sources said more than 1,700 Israelis and foreigners were killed.
Unrest in the West Bank
Meanwhile, an Israeli boy was killed in a shooting in the occupied West Bank on December 12. Israeli forces reportedly killed a Palestinian man in a firefight at a refugee camp accident that same day.
“Serious clashes have also taken place between Palestinian armed groups in the occupied West Bank and Palestinian security forces since the written report, especially in the Jenin camp. following a Palestinian arrest operation and the seizure of Palestinian Authority vehicles by militants,” he said.
He added that over several days, Palestinian security forces killed an unarmed 19-year-old man and arrested many Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants, while clashes caused damage. significant for the camp.
Hamas attacks are condemned
Mr. Khiari highlighted a number of observations in the report.
He again strongly condemned the horrific attack on October 7, 2023 by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups against Israel and the continued detention of more than 100 hostages in Gaza.
He said nothing can justify these terrorist acts, and reiterated that all remaining hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally, while a ceasefire in Gaza is long overdue. long.
Destruction, death and humanitarian restrictions
He also drew attention to the widespread destruction and deprivation caused by Israel’s military operations in the north.At the same time, it condemned the country’s use of explosive weapons that had a widespread impact on densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip, causing great casualties and damage, including United Nations facilities.
He mourned the deaths of UN staff in Gaza and strongly condemned the killing of medical workers, humanitarians and journalists.as well as aid looting amid a breakdown of law and order.
He further noted that ongoing restrictions imposed by Israel, looting and overall unrest mean aid into Gaza is insufficient to meet the overwhelming need.
Resist settlement expansion
“I remain extremely alarmed by Israel’s continued expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which is increasing tensions, hindering Palestinians’ access to their lands, and threatening the possibility of a future independent, democratic, contiguous and sovereign Palestinian State.” ” he said.
He expressed deep concern that Israel continues to systematically promote policies aimed at increasing the participation of civilian officials in controlling the occupied West Bank, including the transfer of a number of security functions. Some Israeli government officials have also called for the annexation of territories.
In this regard, he noted the recent findings of International Court of Justice (ICJ) in an Advisory Opinion on July 19, which declared that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is illegal and must end as quickly as possible.
Support the Palestinian government
Mr. Khiari said it was important for the international community to provide immediate support to the Palestinian Government so that it can address its financial challenges, strengthen its governance capacity and prepare to reassume responsibility. in Gaza.
“We must establish political and security frameworks that can address the humanitarian disaster, begin an early recovery process, rebuild Gaza, and lay the foundations for a political process to end the occupation. . and establish a viable two-state solution as soon as possible,” he said.
He emphasized that these frameworks must facilitate a legitimate Palestinian Government that can reunify Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem – politically, economically and administratively. , while reversing the deteriorating dynamics throughout the OPT.
“Any attempt to establish settlements in Gaza must be firmly rejected. There must be no attempt to reduce or annex all or part of Gaza territory,” he said.
Lay the foundation
Amid the conflict in Gaza and tensions in the West Bank, the United Nations continues to call for a two-state solution between Palestinians and Israelis.
“The devastation and suffering of the past year have once again reinforced a simple truth: Palestinians and Israelis can no longer wait to establish a viable political horizonhe said.
“Now is the time to lay the foundations for a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and the wider region.”
Mr. Khiari supports the United Nations’ commitment to support the Palestinians and Israelis in ending the occupation and resolving the conflict in accordance with international law, relevant United Nations resolutions and bilateral agreements. to achieve a two-state solution.
