NEW YORK/PNN /

Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, stressed 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 Security Council on the Situation in the Middle East, Wennesland said that violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem – already at worrying levels – has increased since the outbreak of war on the Strip on October 7.

Since 7 October, 93 Palestinians, including 27 children, have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers.

He expressed his most sincere condolences to the thousands of families of the victims who were killed in the Israeli aggression on Gaza, including the families of 35 UN staff killed there.

He also touched upon the complete siege imposed on Gaza by Israel, 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.”

“Compounding the destruction from airstrikes, the humanitarian impact has been immense.”

He further echoed the Secretary-General’s appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

“It is critical, that we, as a united international community, employ all our collective efforts to end the bloodletting and prevent any further expansion of hostilities,” he said.

He maintained that the unresolved conflict and continued occupation shape the reality of every Israeli and every Palestinian, referring to the 15-year blockade imposed on the Strip.

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, said Wennesland, stressing that: “Only a political solution will move us forward.”