Gaza - New York: Europe and the Arabs
The UN Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, said that the war in Gaza continues to inflict horrors on the people of the Strip and that hostages are still being held in appalling conditions. He referred to the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, "a leader of the horrific attacks in Israel on October 7."
Wennesland said: "Today we are at a critical juncture. We must seize the moment to silence the guns and release the hostages now." He called on all parties to engage in dialogue and reach an agreement. He stressed the importance of working towards a path that would resolve the conflict, end the occupation and achieve a two-state solution.
In response to journalists' questions about the UN Secretary-General's comment on the killing of Yahya Sinwar, Farhan Haq, the organization's deputy spokesman, said that the Secretary-General does not comment on such incidents but is interested in this now leading to an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza.
Another attack on UNRWA school
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini reported another attack on an UNRWA school in Jabalia, northern Gaza. Dozens were reportedly killed, including a large number of children who had taken shelter inside the building.
Lazzarini said in a post on his website that this was the third attack on UNRWA facilities this week alone. He reiterated the need for a ceasefire now, adding: “It is time to show the political will and courage to end this brutal war.”
Lazzarini added that he had received “the most devastating news” that more UNRWA staff members had been killed, bringing the death toll to 231 since the war began just over a year ago.

“While we hear of increased aid, people in Gaza feel no change. They remain trapped, hungry and sick, and often subjected to intense bombardment,” he added.
He referred to a UN report that warned that the number of people classified as “catastrophic hunger” was expected to triple in the coming months.
An independent UN commission of inquiry said that all states and international organizations, including the United Nations, have obligations under international law to end Israel’s illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territory.
This is according to a new paper published Friday by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. The document presented the commission’s view on the responsibilities of states and how the General Assembly and the Security Council can determine and implement the precise means and measures required to end the occupation as soon as possible.
The commission found the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of Israel’s policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, “credible and unequivocal in stating that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal under international law.”
In this regard, the chair of the commission, Navi Pillay, said: “The commission has consistently stressed that the root cause of the protracted conflict and cycles of violence is the occupation.” She added that the commission concluded in its report to the General Assembly in 2022 that the occupation is illegal under international law and that she welcomed the landmark advisory opinion of the highest court in the UN system.
The Committee’s paper sets out the obligations of Israel, other States and the United Nations to end the illegal occupation. It said Israel must immediately develop a comprehensive plan of action to dismantle settlements and evacuate all settlers from the occupied territory, must return land, property and natural resources to displaced Palestinians, and must repeal all restrictive and discriminatory laws and policies.

Ms. Pellet stressed that States are obliged not to recognize Israeli claims of sovereignty over the occupied territories, and stressed the need for States to distinguish in their dealings between Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.

She added: “No State may recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel or place its diplomatic representatives to Israel in Jerusalem. States may not provide assistance or aid in maintaining the illegal occupation. Assistance and aid include: financial, military and political assistance or support.”
Ms. Pellet said that all States have a duty to work cooperatively to end the illegal occupation and work towards the full realization of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. The Commission also called on all States to implement the UN General Assembly resolution of September 2024.
The General Assembly resolution demands that Israel end its “illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territory” within 12 months, based on the advisory opinion requested by the General Assembly from the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of Israel’s policies and practices in Palestine.
The Human Rights Council established the Commission to investigate within the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and within Israel, all alleged violations of international humanitarian law and all alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law that occurred prior to 13 April 2021 and since that date.
The resolution also requested the Commission to “investigate all the root causes underlying the recurrent tensions, instability and protracted conflict, including systematic discrimination and repression on the basis of national, ethnic, racial or religious identity.”
The Commission of Inquiry is mandated to submit an annual report on its main activities to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly starting in June and September 2022, respectively.