YouSaid · the spoken record

Hastings

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55

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2021-07-28

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2023-10-24

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un-security-council

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1. “If we are to prevent any further descent into this humanitarian catastrophe, dialogue must continue to ensure essential supplies can get into Gaza at the scale needed to spare civilians and the infrastructure they depend on, to release hostages and to avoid any further escalation and spillover. The world is looking to the Member States on the Council to play their part in leading the way.”

   2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451 (2023) · source

2. “Civilians must have the essentials to survive, and to that end, the passage of rapid and unimpeded and increased humanitarian relief must be facilitated, and water and electricity connections resumed. I urge all countries with influence to exert it and ensure respect for the rules of war. Agreement on the resumption of aid deliveries and the release of a small number of hostages over the past few days shows that, through diplomacy and negotiations, humanity can prevail, and we can find humanitarian solutions, even in the depths of this conflict. In that spirit, I reiterate the Secretary- General’s call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to ease the epic human suffering.”

   2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451 (2023) · source

3. “That includes the incredible staff at UNWRA, many of whom are displaced themselves and who continue to support the most vulnerable, despite it all. We must also pay tribute to the 35 UNRWA colleagues who have tragically been killed. I urge the Council to redouble funding to UNRWA and other humanitarian agencies on the ground without delay so they can continue those indispensable efforts. Today of all days, when we celebrate the United Nations, we must all continue to demand respect for international humanitarian law. The parties on all sides must take constant care to spare civilians — including medical and humanitarian personnel — and civilian objects — including homes, hospitals and humanitarian assets.”

   2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451 (2023) · source

4. “We urge Israel to bring water and electricity supplies back to pre-conflict levels and work with us to find a secure way of bringing fuel into Gaza. While we negotiate with the Government of Israel as to how best to bring fuel into Gaza, we have 400,000 litres on trucks ready to go. That would provide fuel for approximately 2.5 more days. If the civilians across Gaza are to get access to adequate food, water, medical care and other essential supplies, we must be able to scale up deliveries of all goods, and we must be able to replenish fuel supplies. It will be important also that the Israeli crossings for the movement of people and goods are opened. I want to express my utmost admiration for the bravery and extraordinary commitment of those delivering life-saving and humanitarian services in Gaza.”

   2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451 (2023) · source

5. “Twenty more are due to cross today. We welcome that important development, and we pledge to do our part to ensure the deliveries increase and continue. But the deliveries are a drop in the bucket compared to the vast scale of needs. They amount to no more than 4 per cent of the daily average volume of commodities entering Gaza prior to these hostilities. Needs are now, of course, significantly greater. And most crucially, the deliveries made over the past few days do not include fuel. That is essential for powering the services that are needed for people to survive. Without fuel, our humanitarian operation will stop. No fuel means no hospitals functioning, no desalination of water and no baking. Many people are drinking saline groundwater, increasing the risks of diarrhoea, cholera and other health issues.”

   2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451 (2023) · source

6. “The scale of destruction calls into question the ability of people to ever return to their homes. Meanwhile, Gaza remains under a full electricity blackout. Hospitals are on the brink of collapse owing to shortages of electricity, medicine, equipment, specialized personnel and the damage and destruction. Patients are being treated on the floor owing to a shortage of beds. Doctors are being forced to operate without anaesthesia. Since 7 October, 16 health workers in Gaza have reportedly been killed and 30 injured while on duty. In the middle of the tumult, the agreement to use Rafah crossing from Egypt to get essential humanitarian supplies into Gaza has provided a glimmer of hope to people living in appalling conditions. This past weekend, 34 trucks entered Gaza with life-saving supplies and another 20 crossed Rafah into Gaza yesterday.”

   2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451 (2023) · source

7. “The average number of internally displaced persons per shelter has reached 2.5 times the capacity. As my colleagues have repeatedly highlighted, there is nowhere to seek refuge in Gaza. When it comes to decisions on whether and where to flee, civilians are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. Displaced families are reportedly returning to north Gaza owing to ongoing bombardments because their basic needs, including safety, cannot be met in the south. I reiterate that civilians must be protected and have the essentials they need to survive — whether they move or stay. To give Council members an idea of the scale of destruction, according to the Gaza Ministry of Housing, at least 42 per cent of all housing units in the Strip have already been either destroyed or damaged since 7 October.”

   2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451 (2023) · source

8. “As intense air strikes continue to rain down on Gaza and as indiscriminate rockets fly into Israel, death, injury, destruction and displacement are mounting. On the Israeli side, the fatality toll is more than three times the cumulative number of Israelis killed since the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs began recording casualties in 2005. In Gaza, the reported Palestinian fatality toll of the past 17 days is more than double the total number of fatalities of the entire 2014 war which lasted 50 days. Women and children comprise some 62 per cent of the victims. The number of those who are internally displaced has swelled to 1.4 million. Nearly 600,000 people are sheltering in United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) facilities in increasingly dire conditions.”

   2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451 (2023) · source

9. “Ms. Hastings: I thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to update the Security Council on behalf of the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths. At the outset, I want to welcome the release of two hostages on Saturday and another two yesterday. We are grateful to the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Amir of Qatar for mediating their release and to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for facilitating. However, the more than 200 hostages still being held must be released without condition or any further delay. We welcome all diplomatic efforts to secure their release and demand that, in the interim, they be treated humanely and be allowed to receive visits from the ICRC.”

   2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451 (2023) · source

10. “However, there is no substitute for a legitimate political process that will resolve the core issues driving the conflict. As history has so painfully demonstrated, the factors contributing to the corrosive situation, if left unaddressed, will only deteriorate further. We must focus on reaching the ultimate goal — two States, living side by side in peace and security, in line with the relevant United Nations resolutions, previous agreements and international law. The United Nations remains committed to supporting Israelis and Palestinians to move towards a just and lasting peace, and we will continue to work with the parties and regional and international partners to achieve that objective.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

11. “I urge all the parties to exercise restraint and avoid provocative actions that could lead to escalation. On 15 and 16 July, President Biden visited Saudi Arabia, where he met with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Egypt, Iraq and Jordan. Following the summit, the United States and the GCC issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to preserving regional security and stability and supporting diplomacy with the aim of regional de-escalation. Immediate steps to reverse the negative trends and to support the Palestinian people are essential. The violence must stop. The tensions that have been mounting, particularly in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, amid continued settlement activity and settler-related violence, must be addressed.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

12. “The latest reported incident was brought to the attention of the President of the Security Council and the Secretary-General through identical letters of 22 July from the Permanent Representative of Syria concerning the situation between Israel and Syria. It is important that the parties respect their obligations under the terms of the Agreement and prevent an escalation of the situation between them. In Lebanon, following the parliamentary elections of 15 May, efforts to form a new Government continue. It is crucial that a new Government be formed as soon as possible and that progress be made on reforms needed to address the country’s multiple crises. I also underscore the risks to stability posed by incidents such as Hizbullah’s launch on 2 July of three unarmed drones from Lebanon towards the Karish offshore natural-gas field.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

13. “In that context, I welcome recent announcements by the United States and the European Union confirming their 2022 contributions to UNRWA, which will allow the Agency to maintain education, primary health care and other critical services to Palestine refugees during the summer months. I encourage additional contributions from Member States to ensure that the needs on the ground can be met. With regard to the region in general, while the ceasefire between Israel and Syria continues to be generally maintained, the situation remains volatile with continued violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement by the parties.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

14. “June also witnessed an increase of imports into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza, with a 12 per cent increase in the number of trucks compared to May. The number of trucks entering Gaza through the informal Salah ad-Din crossing between Gaza and Egypt increased by 45 per cent compared to May 2020. Across the occupied Palestinian territory, soaring commodity prices continue to have a negative impact on Palestinians’ lives. The UNRWA emergency food assistance programme requires an additional $72 million by September to meet the food assistance needs for 1.1 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza in the fourth quarter. The World Food Programme needs an additional $24 million to continue providing assistance until the end of the year to compensate for the drop in purchasing power.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

15. “There remains a funding gap of at least $45 million for the reconstruction of ruined housing units and $9 million for repairs to damaged housing. On 3 July, on the occasion of the Muslim holiday of Eid Al-Adha, the Israeli authorities announced that 400 permits would be issued for men over the age of 55 and women over the age of 50 to visit Jerusalem from Gaza. They are the first such permits to be issued since 2017. In addition, it was announced that some 500 permits would be issued for Gaza residents to visit first-degree relatives in the West Bank and Israel over the holiday. In June, some 72,000 crossings of people holding Israeli-issued permits through the Israeli-controlled Erez crossing were recorded, the highest number in one month since the tightening of the Israeli closures following Hamas’s takeover of the Strip in 2007.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

16. “No injuries were reported. In retaliation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted air strikes against what it said were Hamas targets in the Strip, with no injuries reported. On 19 July, Israeli authorities announced that they had found a bullet in Netiv HaAsara, in southern Israel, which they determined had been fired earlier that day from the Gaza Strip, damaging an industrial building. Subsequently, the IDF launched missiles at what it said were Hamas targets in the Strip, once again with no injuries reported. The reconstruction and repair of damages incurred during the 2021 escalation still requires additional funding as well as the timely disbursement of funding that has already been pledged.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

17. “On several occasions in July, Palestinian legal associations organized demonstrations in Ramallah, attended by hundreds of participants, to protest the Palestinian Authority’s practice of issuing and amending laws by presidential decree. Protesters called for the election of a new Legislative Council and a resumption of regular legislative procedures. The situation in Gaza remains fragile, as efforts by the United Nations and other partners continue to deliver vital humanitarian and development assistance and to further ease restrictions on the movement of people and goods into and out of the Strip. On 16 July, following a period of relative calm, militants in Gaza launched four rockets towards Israel. According to Israeli authorities, one rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome system, while the others landed in open areas in Israel.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

18. “Statements issued by 10 European Foreign Ministries announced that their Governments had reviewed the 21 October designation of six Palestinian NGOs as terrorist organizations. The statements highlighted that no substantial information had been received that would justify a review of the Member States’ policies, and, in the absence of such evidence, they confirmed that they would continue their cooperation with and strong support for civil society in the occupied Palestinian territory. Going forward, the Ministry of Defence has requested that the three lawyers representing the six NGOs seek approval before continuing to do so.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

19. “The continuing high-level contacts between Israeli and Palestinian officials are encouraging. I urge leaders on all sides to expand that engagement to encompass the underlying political issues. In addition, on 12 July, Israeli authorities announced the approval of the registration of 5,500 previously unregistered Palestinians and the expansion of a crossing in the northern West Bank to include vehicular traffic between Israel and Jenin for the use of Israeli Arabs. On 21 July, President Abbas visited France and met with President Emmanuel Macron. At a joint press conference following the meeting, President Macron affirmed his willingness to help mobilize the international community in efforts to support the resumption of a political dialogue towards a just and lasting peace.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

20. “I welcome the crucial United States and regional support pledged to East Jerusalem hospitals, vital Palestinian institutions that provide health care to patients from across the occupied Palestinian territory. Support for structural reform of the health sector is still needed for sustainable operations of the heavily indebted Hospital Network. I also welcome and look forward to the implementation of the important commitments made by Israel to improve movement and access for Palestinians at the Allenby Bridge and the transition to 4G technology to support economic growth. In advance of President Biden’s visit, on 7 July, President Abbas and Defense Minister Gantz met in Ramallah, and on 8 July Israeli President Herzog and Prime Minister Lapid spoke with President Abbas by phone.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

21. “On 16 July, in the context of President Biden’s meeting with regional leaders in Saudi Arabia, the United States announced that Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also each pledged an additional $25 million to the East Jerusalem Hospital Network. The Biden Administration’s announcement that Israel has agreed to allow the Allenby Bridge ,between the West Bank and Jordan, to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by the end of September will go some way to reduce the long wait thousands undergo at the crossing. The United States also said Israel had agreed to accelerate the transition to 4G technology in the West Bank, and then in Gaza, and to convene the long-dormant Joint Economic Committee with the Palestinian Authority.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

22. “Between 13 and 15 July, United States President Biden visited Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. During the visit, the President announced a series of initiatives to support the Palestinian people, including a new multi-year contribution of $100 million to the East Jerusalem Hospital Network, subject to congressional approval; $201 million in funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA); an additional $15 million in humanitarian assistance for Palestinians aimed at addressing food insecurity; and two new grants under the Middle East Partnership for Peace Act.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

23. “I call on Israeli authorities to end the displacement and eviction of Palestinians, in line with its obligations under international humanitarian law, and to approve additional plans that would enable Palestinians to build legally and address their development needs. On 30 June, the Israeli Knesset voted to dissolve itself and call for new parliamentary elections, now scheduled for 1 November. Due to the coalition agreements, on 1 July, Yair Lapid became Israel’s Prime Minister and will head the interim Government through the upcoming elections and Government- formation process. I congratulate Prime Minister Lapid, and the Special Coordinator looks forward to continuing to work with him to advance steps towards a two-State solution and a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

24. “I remain deeply concerned about the potential implications of the High Court’s ruling and the humanitarian toll on the communities in question if the eviction orders are carried out. In a positive development, on 12 July, Israeli authorities announced that they would advance six plans for Palestinian construction in Area C. I urge Israel to further advance such plans and to issue building permits for all previously approved plans for Palestinians in Area C and in East Jerusalem. On 21 July, Israel’s Supreme Court partially accepted the appeal of a Palestinian family under threat of eviction in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Silwan, freezing the eviction order until proceedings are completed in a lower court.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

25. “The demolitions were carried out due to the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain. In the wake of the 4 May ruling by the Israeli High Court of Justice allowing the eviction of the communities in Masafer Yatta, in the southern West Bank, to proceed due to their presence in an Israeli- declared “firing zone”, Israeli forces continued to adopt restrictive measures negatively affecting Palestinian communities and humanitarian actors providing support. Such measures include ongoing military training, related movement restrictions, arrests, including those involving use of force, as well as restrictions on the access of staff of international organizations and Palestinian non-governmental organizations to the area.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

26. “In advance of the campaign, Israeli Defense Minister Gantz issued a statement that such efforts are illegal activities that the security services are preparing to thwart. The Israel Defense Forces and Israeli police also issued similar statements. On 21 July, the Israeli security forces removed the seven makeshift encampments that had been set up and evacuated the Israeli civilians from the area. I welcome the statements and actions by the Government of Israel to prevent the establishment of new outposts. I reiterate that all settlements are illegal under international law and remain a substantial obstacle to peace. During the reporting period, Israeli authorities demolished, seized or forced owners to demolish 77 Palestinian-owned structures in Area C and five in East Jerusalem, displacing 61 Palestinians, including 31 children.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

27. “On the night of 6 July, individuals believed to be Israeli settlers set fire to four points around the community, damaging several structures, including tents. The attack comes on the heels of additional settler attacks against the community in recent weeks, during which two residents were injured. I reiterate that perpetrators of all acts of violence must be held accountable and brought swiftly to justice. I also reiterate that security forces must exercise maximum restraint and use lethal force only when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life. On 20 and 21 July, thousands of Israelis participated in a widely publicized campaign by a settler organization to establish settlement outposts across the West Bank.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

28. “On 2 July, the Palestinian Authority transferred the bullet that killed Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh to United States authorities to undergo forensic testing. On 4 July, following an analysis overseen by the United States Security Coordinator, the United States announced that the examiners could not reach a definitive conclusion regarding the origin of the bullet, due to its damaged condition. The United States also said that, after viewing the results of both Israeli and Palestinian investigations into Abu Akleh’s death, it had concluded that gunfire from Israel Defense Forces positions was likely responsible and that it found no reason to believe that that was intentional. Settler-related violence continued during the reporting period, with particularly concerning incidents in the West Bank community of Ras Al-Tin.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

29. “The Israeli security forces said they fired after the boy had thrown a Molotov cocktail. On 6 July, a Palestinian man was shot and killed as he left his house during a nearby Israeli security forces arrest operation. Israeli security forces said the man had been shot after trying to run away. On 5 July, an Israeli man was seriously injured after being stabbed on a pedestrian bridge in Bnei Brak in central Israel. On 6 July, the Israeli security forces announced they had arrested a Palestinian man suspected of carrying out the attack. On 19 July, an Israeli was stabbed and moderately injured by a Palestinian on a bus in Jerusalem. The assailant was subsequently shot and injured by an Israeli civilian.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

30. “In total, Palestinians perpetrated 50 attacks against Israeli civilians, 39 of which were stone-throwing incidents, resulting in injuries and/or damage to Israeli property. On 29 June, Israeli security forces shot and killed a 25-year-old Palestinian in the context of clashes following an arrest operation conducted in Jenin, in the West Bank. According to the Israeli security forces, the man had thrown explosive devices towards Israeli soldiers. Palestinian Islamic Jihad later claimed the man as a member. On 2 and 6 July, Israeli security forces fatally shot two Palestinians in the village of Jaba’a, near Jenin. On 2 July, according to video and eyewitnesses, a 17-year-old was shot from some 30 metres as he was turning away, after having thrown stones towards the soldiers.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

31. “Three Palestinians were killed in the occupied West Bank during search and arrest operations, and 287 Palestinians, including 28 children, were injured by Israeli security forces during demonstrations, clashes, search-and-arrest operations, attacks and alleged attacks against Israelis and other incidents in the West Bank. Israeli settlers or other civilians perpetrated 27 attacks against Palestinians, resulting in 12 injuries and/or damage to Palestinian property, including 1,000 olive trees In all, 18 Israeli civilians, including two women, and seven Israeli security personnel were injured by Palestinians in shooting and stabbing attacks, clashes and the throwing of stones and Molotov cocktails and other incidents.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

32. “Against that worrisome backdrop, the visit by President Biden of the United States to the region earlier this month signalled renewed consensus for a two-State solution based on the 1967 lines. During the visit, for the first time in years, Israeli, Palestinian and American leaders also reiterated their support for a two- State solution as essential for the future of Palestinians and Israelis alike. In addition to meeting with Prime Minister Lapid and President Abbas, President Biden made a noteworthy visit to Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem. We must build on those reaffirmed commitments and work collectively to encourage steps that allow for a return to a meaningful political process. Daily violence continued throughout the occupied Palestinian territory during the reporting period.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

33. “Three hundred and ninety- nine demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures and evictions in Area C this year have left over 400 Palestinians displaced. There is a growing sense of hopelessness among many Palestinians, who see their prospects for statehood, sovereignty and a peaceful future slipping away. Internally, they also see a crumbling and constrained Palestinian economy, lack of progress in advancing intra-Palestinian unity and governance reform and the urgent need for renewed legitimacy to national institutions, including through a democratically elected Parliament and Government in Palestine. Many Israelis also understand the perils of continuing along the current path. They see endless cycles of violence, the constant risk of escalation and the absence of prospects to end the conflict.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

34. “Ms. Hastings: I am pleased to deliver this briefing on behalf of Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland, covering the reporting period of 27 June to 21 July. While the specific developments of the conflict fluctuate, the structural reality has not changed. We continue to witness concerning levels of violence against civilians, which exacerbates mistrust and undermines a peaceful resolution to the conflict. For years, illegal settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has been steadily shrinking the land available to Palestinians for development and livelihoods, limiting their movement and access and eroding the prospects for establishing a viable Palestinian State.”

    2022-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9099 (2022) · source

35. “We in the international community should heed those important words. Urgent efforts to improve the situation in Gaza must move forward swiftly, but let us not lose sight of the broader goal — resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ending the occupation and realizing the two-State solution on the basis of United Nations resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements. The United Nations remains committed to continuing to support Palestinian and Israeli moves towards that political horizon. The United Nations will work with the parties and through the Middle East Quartet to pave the way forward to meaningful negotiations on all outstanding issues.”

    2021-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8826 (2021) · source

36. “I appeal once again to all donors, including those from the Arab region, to sustain the funding levels of past years and advance disbursements of funds as much as possible to avoid a disruption of essential services and humanitarian aid. Following the explosive violence across the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel in May, on 30 June some 200 Israeli and Palestinian women’s organizations and activists released a joint statement calling for immediate action, based on the principles of resolution 1325 (2000), to achieve long-term solutions to the conflict. Noting the particular importance of protecting women from all forms of violence and ensuring women’s representation in decision-making positions, they urged broader efforts towards a negotiated long-term solution, and not just a temporary calm.”

    2021-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8826 (2021) · source

37. “Meanwhile, the situation in the area of operations of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) remains tense, as demonstrated by the rocket fire from Lebanon towards Israel and the artillery response by Israel on 20 July. UNIFIL continues to liaise with the parties to de-escalate tensions. I remain concerned about the financial situation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). As of today, the projected shortfall under its programme budget amounts to $100 million. The Agency also faces an imminent cash-flow crisis, which risks impacting the smooth opening of the school year for half a million girls and boys in Gaza. The absence of a fully funded programme budget also undermines UNRWA’s capacity to conduct much needed humanitarian and early recovery activities in Gaza.”

    2021-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8826 (2021) · source

38. “The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force continues to liaise with the parties to remind them of their obligations to respect the terms of the disengagement agreement and prevent escalation of the situation across the ceasefire line. In Lebanon, and ahead of the first anniversary of the Beirut port explosion on 4 August, the United Nations reiterates the need for an impartial and transparent investigation into the explosion to ensure accountability. The United Nations looks forward to the swift formation of a new Government able to address the country’s crises, following the appointment of Mr. Najib Mikati as Prime Minister-designate on 26 July.”

    2021-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8826 (2021) · source

39. “I urge Israel to cease the demolition and seizure of Palestinian property throughout the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in line with its obligations under international humanitarian law, and to allow Palestinians to develop their communities. Turning to the region, in the occupied Golan the ceasefire between Israel and Syria has been generally maintained despite the continued violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement by the parties. On 1 June, the IDF said that it had carried out a retaliatory attack on a military outpost of the Syrian armed forces west of the ceasefire line. Early on 17 June, United Nations personnel observed an IDF tank on the Alpha side fire 10 rounds towards Al-Qahtaniya in the area of separation.”

    2021-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8826 (2021) · source

40. “Some 18 of the structures demolished or confiscated were provided by donors following previous demolitions in February. As a result, seven Palestinian families, comprising 54 people, including 30 children, were again displaced. Despite repeated calls by the international community, Israeli authorities have continued to instruct the residents to move to a different location, citing the community’s presence in an Israeli-declared firing zone. During the reporting period, Israeli forces confiscated at least 49 structures in another West Bank herding community, Ras Al-Tin, resulting in the displacement of 84 Palestinians, including 53 children and 14 women.”

    2021-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8826 (2021) · source

41. “Settlement-related activities must cease, as they undermine the prospect of achieving a viable two-State solution in line with United Nations resolutions, international law and prior agreements. Israeli demolitions of Palestinian homes and other structures continued throughout the reporting period. Overall, Israeli authorities demolished or seized 113 Palestinian-owned structures in Area C of the occupied West Bank and 16 in East Jerusalem, displacing 177 Palestinians, including 38 women and 102 children, and affecting 1,934 others. The demolitions were carried out due to the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain. During the reporting period, Israeli authorities demolished 31 structures in the Bedouin community of Humsa Al-Baqai’a, in Area C of the occupied West Bank.”

    2021-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8826 (2021) · source

42. “According to the agreement, the Israeli Civil Administration will conduct an accelerated land survey to determine land status. Areas found not to be privately owned by Palestinians will be declared “State land” and subsequently made available for building a religious school and staff residence. Any existing structures found to be outside “State land” will be demolished. Following the evacuation, near-daily clashes continued during the reporting period between Palestinian residents of the nearby village of Beita and Israeli settlers and security forces, resulting in the death of a Palestinian, injury to some 460 others and damage to structures. I reiterate that all settlements are illegal under international law.”

    2021-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8826 (2021) · source

43. “Women present at the demonstrations reported sexual harassment and gender-based threats on social media afterwards. I call on the Palestinian Authority to ensure that the death of Nizar Banat and all allegations of the use of disproportionate force against protestors by the Palestinian Security Forces are investigated in a thorough, transparent and independent manner and those responsible held to account. The Palestinian people must be able to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, opinion and peaceful assembly. Arbitrary and politically motivated arrests must cease. On 2 July, Israeli settlers, comprising some 50 families, left the illegal outpost of Evyatar following an agreement reached with the Israeli Government that IDF troops would re-establish a presence at the site.”

    2021-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8826 (2021) · source

44. “I underscore that all perpetrators of violence must be held accountable and swiftly brought to justice. I also call on Israeli security forces to ensure the protection of Palestinians, in line with Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law. Following the death of political activist Nizar Banat on 24 June, Palestinians held demonstrations across the occupied West Bank. In Ramallah, on 26 June and 5 July, the Palestinian Security Forces beat protestors and indiscriminately fired tear gas and stun grenades. On 26 June, the Palestinian Security Forces also failed to stop violent acts by groups of non-uniformed persons, reported to be associated with security personnel, resulting in violence targeting journalists and human-rights monitors, including a United Nations staff member.”

    2021-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8826 (2021) · source

45. “The ISF said a soldier had opened fire after stones had been thrown towards him, threatening his life, and that it would investigate the incident. Also on 23 July, a Palestinian man was reportedly shot and killed by Hamas security forces while driving through a checkpoint in Gaza City. Meanwhile, settlers and other Israeli civilians in the occupied West Bank perpetrated some 36 attacks against Palestinians, resulting in 13 injuries and damage to property. Palestinians perpetrated 47 attacks against Israeli settlers and other civilians, resulting in eight injuries and damage to property. On 26 June, settlers attacked Palestinians in the village of Al-Mughayyir, near Ramallah. Israeli forces intervened, resulting in the injury of 18 Palestinians.”

    2021-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8826 (2021) · source

46. “On 14 July, a Palestinian man was shot and injured by the ISF after reportedly trying to enter the settlement of Yitzhar with a knife. On 18 July, clashes broke out between Palestinians and the ISF in and around the holy sites, ahead of visits by hundreds of Jewish visitors observing the commemoration of Tisha B’Av. I reiterate that the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites must be upheld and fully respected, and call upon community, religious and political leaders on all sides to refrain from provocative action and rhetoric in the interest of peace and stability. On 23 July, the ISF shot and critically injured a 17-year-old Palestinian boy during clashes in the village of Nabi Saleh, in the West Bank. The boy later died of his wounds. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the boy was shot in the stomach by an ISF foot patrol.”

    2021-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8826 (2021) · source

47. “Hamas has reportedly opened an investigation. In the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, clashes, attacks, search-and-arrest operations and other incidents resulted in the death of four Palestinians, including a child, and injuries to 638 Palestinians, including 46 children and seven women. Five Israeli security personnel were injured during these events. On 25 June, Israeli forces shot, injured and detained a Palestinian who they said was planning to carry out a stabbing attack near the settlement of Yitzhar, in the northern West Bank. On 3 July, a Palestinian man was shot and killed by the ISF in the village of Qusra, near Nablus, following clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinians. According to the ISF, the man was shot after throwing an object that exploded near Israeli soldiers.”

    2021-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8826 (2021) · source

48. “Enhanced cooperation between Israel and the PA to address outstanding financial challenges on key fiscal and economic files will also be critical. Violence continued across the occupied Palestinian territory throughout the reporting period. In Gaza, while the cessation of hostilities reached between Israel and Hamas in May largely held, militants launched 13 incendiary balloons towards Israel, with several causing fires. In retaliation, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) fired 18 missiles against what it said were Hamas targets in the Strip, resulting in damage but no injuries. On 22 July, a Palestinian was killed and some 14 others were injured in an explosion in the Az-Zawiya marketplace, in Gaza City. The Israeli Security Forces (ISF) said the incident was an “internal matter” and that Israel had not been involved.”

    2021-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8826 (2021) · source

49. “Compounding the PA’s financial situation, on 11 July, the Israeli Security Cabinet approved the freezing of some 600 million Israeli shekels from the clearance revenues Israel collects on behalf of the PA. The funds will be deducted in monthly instalments, in line with Israeli Knesset legislation from 2018, which authorizes the withholding of funds equal to the amount that Israeli authorities determine have been paid by the PA over the preceding year to security prisoners and detainees and the families of Palestinians killed while carrying out attacks. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayeh called the measures contrary to signed agreements and unjust. In order to address those challenges, the PA must implement much-needed reforms, including the so-called prisoner- payment system, and strengthen the rule of law and accountability.”

    2021-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8826 (2021) · source

50. “In terms of looking ahead, with additional donor support, existing United Nations humanitarian cash assistance or other programmes could quickly be scaled up to reach tens or hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza. While urgent humanitarian interventions can provide critical relief in the short term, any sustainable future in Gaza requires political solutions. I once again reiterate the need for the return of a legitimate Palestinian Government to the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Authority’s fiscal situation continues to be a source of significant concern. The budget gap is expected to be well over $1 billion for the current budget year, and the Palestinian financial sector is exposed to serious liquidity risks.”

    2021-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8826 (2021) · source