Mourners carry the body of Palestinian Amir Bustami during his funeral in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Feb. 13, 2023. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
Preventing more violence is an urgent priority, which requires not only coordinated security measures, but also considerable political efforts, UN envoy Tor Wennesland said, urging both sides to avoid unilateral steps that could further inflame the situation.
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland on Monday voiced concern over a surge of violence between Israelis and Palestinians.
"We are witnessing a surge in violence, including some of the deadliest incidents in nearly 20 years," he told the Security Council in a briefing. "I am concerned that developments on the ground are continuing their negative trajectory, gaining in both pace and intensity. At the same time, unilateral actions are moving the parties still further apart, exacerbating tensions and driving the conflict."
Immediate efforts are required to reduce tensions. But restoring calm is not, on its own, a recipe for progress, he cautioned.
The United Nations, along with regional and international partners, have engaged intensively with all parties to de-escalate the situation, said Wennesland via a video link from Jerusalem. "I call upon the parties to match security efforts with political steps that can halt the negative slide and restore hope for an end to conflict and prospects for a viable two-state solution."
There has been an alarming number of fatalities since his last briefing to the Security Council on Jan. 18, said the UN envoy.
Forty Palestinians, including one woman and seven children, have been killed in the occupied West Bank. In the same period, 10 Israelis, including one woman, three children and one security personnel, as well as one female foreign national have been killed, he noted.
A significant number of Palestinian casualties have occurred in the context of Israeli security forces' search-and-arrest operations and clashes with armed Palestinians, including in Area A of the occupied West Bank, which is under the full civil and security control by the Palestinian Authority, said Wennesland.
The relative calm of the past few months in Gaza was interrupted by exchanges of fire in the past month, once again demonstrating the fragility of the cease-fire, he added.
A Palestinian protester uses a slingshot to hurl a stone at Israeli soldiers during clashes following a protest against the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank village of Kufr Qadoom, near Nablus, on Feb. 17, 2023. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
Palestinian militants in Gaza fired rockets from the strip toward Israel on six occasions. A total of 11 rockets were fired, with five intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome system, while two landed in open areas, and one fell short in Gaza. In retaliation, Israeli security forces carried out airstrikes on 14 occasions against what it said were Hamas militant targets in Gaza, causing damage, he said. "I reiterate that the indiscriminate launching of rockets toward Israeli population centers violates international law and must stop immediately."
Perpetrators of all acts of violence must be held accountable and swiftly brought to justice. Security forces must exercise maximum restraint and use lethal force only when strictly unavoidable to protect life. Children must never be the targets of violence, used, or put in harm's way, he said.
Amid the mounting violence, there was also a concerning deterioration in relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, said Wennesland.
Following the Jan. 26 Israeli search-and-arrest operation in Jenin that left 10 Palestinians dead, the Palestinian Authority announced that security coordination with Israel "no longer exists." Following the Jan. 27 terrorist attack in Jerusalem that killed six Israelis, the Israeli Security Cabinet announced a series of measures, including steps to reinforce security, strengthen Israeli settlements, and punitive measures against the perpetrators of the attacks in Jerusalem and their families, he noted.
People run to take cover during clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Jan. 26, 2023. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
Significant decisions were announced by the Israeli government related to settlement advancements and settlement outposts. Israeli settlements, including outposts, are illegal under international law and remain a substantial obstacle to peace, he said.
Wennesland also expressed concern over the significant increase in demolitions of Palestinian-owned property, particularly in East Jerusalem.
"I urge Israel to cease this practice in line with its obligations under international humanitarian law," he said.
Preventing more violence is an urgent priority, which requires not only coordinated security measures, but also considerable political efforts, he said, urging both sides to avoid unilateral steps that could further inflame the situation.
"We have seen ominous signs of what awaits if we fail to address the current instability," he warned.
In particular, there is a need to address instability in the West Bank, characterized by spiraling tensions between Israeli security forces and armed Palestinian factions and friction points between settlers and Palestinians, which drive more violence and embolden extremists. Restoring security coordination and ensuring the Palestinian security forces can operate effectively is key, he said.
Smoke billows from a building as Israeli forces blew it up in the West Bank city of Hebron, Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)
"At the same time, I urge to halt settlement expansion, as well as demolitions and evictions, which fuel these tensions," he added.
With the holy month of Ramadan once again coinciding with the Passover and Easter holidays this year, joint efforts are needed to ensure that this period passes safely and peacefully for all. Provocations, disinformation and efforts by extremists to stoke violence must be addressed swiftly and effectively, said Wennesland.
"As we continue to work with the parties and with regional and international partners to calm tensions, we must identify and pursue every opportunity to advance our long-term goal: an end to the occupation and the establishment of two states, living side by side in peace and security, on the basis of the 1967 lines, in line with UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements," he said. ■
