The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland affirmed that "the risk of a significant further deterioration of the situation in the occupied West Bank or spillover of the conflict in the region remains significant."
During a briefing to the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue, Wennesland said that "violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem already at worrying levels has increased since the outbreak of war."
Since Oct. 7, hundreds of Palestinians, including 28 children, have been martyred by Israeli forces or settlers.
He pointed out that the Israeli occupation imposed a complete siege of Gaza, blocking all entry of goods, including electricity, water, food, fuel, and medical equipment.
"The level of physical destruction has left entire neighborhoods in rubble and critical infrastructure has been destroyed or damaged. Schools, including UNRWA schools, and hospitals -- many sheltering displaced Palestinians -- have been hit. Displacement levels are unprecedented," he said.
He reiterated that humanitarian assistance needs to flow safely and continuously into the Strip, calling for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire."
He called on the Security Council to for "an urgent end to the bloodshed," and prevent further expansion of the war on the Gaza Strip, pointing to the Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip for more than 15 years.
"For a generation, hope has been lost and despair has prevailed for those who see prospects for a more peaceful future pulling still further away," stressing that "Only a political solution will move us forward."
He affirmed that the steps they take to address this crisis must be implemented in a way that ultimately advances a negotiated peace that fulfills the legitimate national aspirations, in accordance with the long-held vision of two-States, in line with UN resolutions, international law, and previous agreements.
