Muhannad Hadi, deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, outlined the effects of the Gaza war during a briefing of ambassadors at the Security Council on Monday. This war has now entered its second year.
“Winter is approaching but terror in Gaza continues and there is no end,” Muhannad Hadi said.
More than 44,000 Palestinians and 1,700 Israeli and foreign civilians are reported to have been killed in the war, which began in October 2023 due to terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in southern Israel.
Thousands of people have been injured in the Gaza war and more than 100 Israeli hostages are still in critical condition in Gaza.
The situation in Gaza is still very serious and devastating
Muhannad Hadi drew attention to the devastating impact of Israeli forces’ operations in northern Gaza, which have resulted in massive displacement and the deaths of many people, including women and children.
With armed Palestinian groups looting UN convoys of life-saving aid, the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need has also been severely affected.
He said a convoy of 109 trucks carrying UN food supplies was looted on November 16, of which 97 trucks were lost.
A few days later, led by the Gaza authorities, an operation targeting the looters was launched, in which more than 20 people were reported killed.
Muhannad Hadi said, “Attacks on humanitarian aid workers and humanitarian convoys must stop immediately. Law and order must be restored, and civilians must have safe access to vital aid.”
Violence is increasing in the West Bank
Muhannad Hadi also briefed the Security Council on the escalating violence in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories of the West Bank.
In the past few weeks, Israeli forces have killed 32 Palestinians and Israeli (Jewish) settler attacks on Palestinian communities have increased, particularly during olive harvesting.
He said shelling and stampede attacks by Palestinians continued, although no casualties were reported in the occupied West Bank or in Israel.
He said Israel continues to expand Jewish settlements and destroy Palestinian-owned structures. Some Israeli ministers are now openly calling for the annexation of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
“I reiterate that the occupation is a violation of international law and must be rejected,” he said.
…to be continued…