By: ATN News
New York: The Security Council was presented with a stark analysis of the deteriorating situation in Gaza, as Tor Wennesland, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, emphasized the critical need for an immediate ceasefire. The emergence of polio in the region, combined with ongoing destruction and violence, has pushed the humanitarian crisis to unprecedented levels, demanding urgent international intervention.
Wennesland's briefing outlined the escalating toll of the conflict, where over 200,000 Palestinians have been affected by evacuation orders, and the human cost continues to rise. The infrastructure in Gaza, particularly water, sanitation, and hygiene systems, has been devastated, leading to a public health emergency exacerbated by the first confirmed case of polio in 25 years. This development signals a significant setback in global polio eradication efforts and poses a severe risk to the already vulnerable population of Gaza.
Humanitarian agencies, operating under extreme duress, have managed to maintain a presence and deliver aid, but their efforts are increasingly jeopardized by the unsafe conditions on the ground. The capacity of these agencies is being stretched beyond its limits, a situation that Wennesland warned could lead to a total collapse of humanitarian operations if immediate action is not taken. The scale of the destruction in Gaza is immense, with recovery likely to span decades, further highlighting the urgency of a ceasefire.
The situation is not confined to Gaza alone. The occupied West Bank is described as a “tinderbox of violence and tension,” with the potential for further escalation. Wennesland emphasized the necessity of ending the violence, protecting civilians, and halting incitement to prevent a broader regional conflict. The ongoing violence along the Blue Line, in the Israeli-occupied Golan, and in other hotspots across the Middle East, underscores the region’s volatility, which is now at an inflection point.
Louisa Baxter, Operations Lead at Save the Children’s Emergency Health Unit, reinforced Wennesland’s call for a ceasefire, highlighting the severe impact of the conflict on children in Gaza. The spread of polio, a preventable disease, underscores the breakdown of health services in the region. Baxter stressed the need for a sustained cessation of hostilities to allow for an effective vaccination campaign and to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
The geopolitical dimensions of the conflict were also laid bare during the briefing. The United States representative indicated that a ceasefire and hostage release deal might be within reach, reflecting ongoing negotiations led by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt. However, this assertion was met with skepticism by other Council members, particularly the Russian Federation, which accused the U.S. of manipulating the situation to favor Israel while obstructing broader peace efforts.
The debate within the Council reflects the deep divisions and competing interests that continue to hinder effective action. While some members called for an urgent ceasefire and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, others focused on the underlying security concerns that have perpetuated the conflict. The representative of Israel defended the ongoing military operations as necessary to defeat Hamas, which he accused of using civilians as human shields and obstructing aid.
Wennesland concluded by stressing that the situation in Gaza requires immediate and decisive action from the Security Council. The humanitarian crisis, compounded by the polio outbreak, demands a coordinated response that includes both a ceasefire and long-term solutions to the underlying causes of the conflict. The failure to act could result in further destabilization of the region, with grave consequences for both Gaza and the broader Middle East.
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