Tor Wensland, United Nations Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, said that the ongoing war in Gaza and Israel is a tragic reminder that there is no alternative to the legitimate political process that can resolve the core issues of the conflict. He said that the year 2023 is one of the bloodiest years in the history of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, while the situation continues to deteriorate at all levels.
Wensland stressed the importance of enabling the parties, at this critical juncture, to reconnect on the political path that leads to achieving a two-state solution. He said that the violence that has occurred since October 7 in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially the Gaza Strip, has shocked the region and even more so the lives of millions of Palestinians and Israelis.
This came in a session held by the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue, during which it listened - via video conference from Jerusalem - to a briefing from the UN Coordinator, Tor Wensland, and Major General Patrick Guchat, Head of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization.
"Reports of sexual violence"
Tor Wensland renewed his condemnation of "the horrific armed attacks launched by Hamas and others in Israel." He said that nothing could justify the terrorist acts committed and the deliberate killing, maiming and kidnapping of civilians. He expressed his horror at "reports of acts of sexual violence during the attacks," stressing the need to investigate these acts and prosecute the perpetrators. He added that the indiscriminate firing of rockets towards Israeli residential centers is a violation of international humanitarian law and must stop immediately.
“Unprecedented killing and destruction in Gaza”
The UN Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process said that the scale of hostilities between Israel and Hamas and the scope of killing and destruction in Gaza are “unprecedented and difficult to bear.” He categorically condemned the killing of civilians in Gaza, including women and children. He expressed his sadness at the death of "every single civilian, including 131 colleagues at the United Nations." He pointed out that this represents the largest human loss of its kind in the history of the United Nations.
He also expressed his concern about the impact of the ongoing hostilities on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He said the current situation makes it impossible to carry out meaningful humanitarian operations.
Tensions escalate in the West Bank
Tor Wensland also expressed concern about escalating tensions in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. He reiterated the need for security forces to adhere to the utmost restraint and not use lethal force except in unavoidable situations in order to protect life.
He expressed his concern about the deadly attacks launched by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, and Palestinians against Israelis in the occupied West Bank and Israel. He stressed the need to hold all perpetrators of violence accountable and urgently bring them to justice.
Continuous expansion of settlements
The Middle East Peace Process Coordinator expressed his deep concern about the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which impedes Palestinian access to their lands and resources and threatens the possibility of establishing an independent Palestinian state in the future.
He reiterated that the Israeli settlements represent a flagrant violation of United Nations resolutions and international law. He called on the Israeli government to stop these activities immediately.
Tor Wensland affirmed the United Nations’ commitment to supporting the Palestinians and Israelis to end the occupation and resolve the conflict in accordance with international law, relevant United Nations resolutions and bilateral agreements in pursuit of the existence of two states: Israel and the independent, democratic, viable and sovereign State of Palestine - of which Gaza is an integral part - living side by side. Side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders based on the 1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of the two states.
Truce Supervision Organization
It is noteworthy that the Truce Supervision Organization is the first United Nations peacekeeping mission, and it was established in May 1948 when the Security Council called for a cessation of hostilities in Palestine in its Resolution No. 50. Since that time, the mission’s military observers have continued to be present in the Middle East to monitor the ceasefire. fire, supervising the truce agreements signed between Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, and preventing isolated incidents from escalating.
Major General Patrick Guchat, head of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, said that the events of October 7 affected the mission's operations and regional dynamics. He pointed out that many ceasefire violations had occurred since October 8 across the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon and in the Golan between Israel and Syria.
He said that the mission's military observers have taken and adopted appropriate security measures as they continue their important role in ensuring close military monitoring, investigating ceasefire violations and inspections in the Golan and submitting reports to enhance communication between the parties, including in order to de-escalate.
He touched on his visits and contacts with concerned parties since the beginning of the current events. For example, regarding the Blue Line, he said that officials from both Lebanon and Israel told him of their readiness to improve security and implement Security Council Resolution 1701. Regarding the Golan, both Israel and Syria expressed to him their strong will to maintain the truce, and they also shared with him their concerns and expectations.
He said that the relevant authorities, during his visits, shared with him their views on the regional situation and the ceasefire. He added that during these discussions, he always tried to defuse potentially dangerous situations and assure the parties that he would convey their messages to the other parties.
He added at the conclusion of his speech: “As the regional situation develops, we will continue to contribute towards a comprehensive, just and peaceful solution to the situation in the Middle East.”