UN Officials Call It Need Courage To Solve Conflict And Population In Palestine

Refugees in the Gaza Strip. (Twitter/@UNLazzarini)

JAKARTA - United Nations (UN) officials say it takes courage to resolve the conflict and end the occupation, as the situation there continues to deteriorate to an unprecedented level.

Speaking at a meeting of the UN Security Council on Wednesday, UN Special Deputy Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov, said, "Today the world is watching with horror the situation in the occupied Palestinian Territory continues to deteriorate to an unprecedented level in history."

"After more than twenty-two months of hostilities, Gaza is getting worse in the disaster, marked by increasing civilian casualties, mass shelters and now starvation," Alakbarov said.

"Mesan dari komunitas internasional jelas: Solusi Dua Negara tetap menjadi satu-satunya jalan yang layak menuju penyelesaian konflik Israel-Palestinina yang adil dan berpanjang," ujarnya, tegasnya dikutip dari WAFA 28 Agustus.

Stressing the need for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages, he told the Security Council on Wednesday, "What is needed now is a bold act to resolve the conflict, end the occupation, and rebuild the political horizon."

He underlined the dire situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which he stressed "continues to deteriorate in a dangerous way" and "regions envisioned for future Palestinian states are shrinking, while the reality of the One Country consisting of illegal occupation and constant violence is on the rise."

"The expansion of persistent settlements, demolition, and increasing violence continues to undermine the prospects for peace," he said.

"The choice is very clear: continuing the current continuous path of conflict, strengthening the occupation or re-committing to the political process that will resolve conflicts, end the occupation, and realize the solutions of the two countries," he said.

On this occasion he also reported that Israeli military attacks had escalated across the Gaza Strip, hitting tents housing refugees, schools, hospitals and residential buildings.

"During my recent visit to Gaza, I was surprised to see the scale of destruction and suffering. I met with humanitarian workers who risked their lives to send aid, while they themselves lived in unbearable conditions," he said.

"Ending hunger is a race against time. It requires a dramatic increase in quantity and quality of food entering Gaza. It also requires restoration of basic systems such as water and sanitation, health services, and food production all needed to sustain human life," he said.

He added that more than 32,000 residents in three refugee camps in the West Bank were still displaced due to ongoing Israeli military operations.

"They must be able to return to their homes, and services, including UNRWA services, must be restored," said Alakbarov.