Israel-Palestine: UN Envoy Talks Up ‘Only Way’ To End Cycles Of Violence

UN Middle East envoy, Tor Wennesland, on Thursday said only a political solution would end the “senseless and costly cycles of violence” between Israelis and Palestinians.

Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, told the Security Council in New York as a fragile cessation of hostilities continues to hold.

Fragile cessation of hostilities continues to hold, following 11 days of deadly conflict this month which engulfed the Occupied Palestinian Territory and several cities across Israel.

“These recent events have made clear once again the costs of perpetual conflict and lost hope,’’ Wennesland said.

He spoke via teleconference from Jerusalem, and shortly after the UN and partners announced a 95 million dollars flash appeal to support people in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Wennesland emphasised the need for the sides to return to the negotiating table, though warning against a “business as usual” approach.

“At the end, it is the lack of the proverbial ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ – of a political horizon – after decades of conflict, that kills hope and provides space for those not interested in sustainable peace.

“Only through negotiations that end the occupation and create a viable two-State solution on the basis of UN resolutions, international law and mutual agreements, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States, can we hope to bring a definitive end to these senseless and costly cycles of violence.”

The latest conflict between Israel and armed groups in Gaza was among the most intense hostilities witnessed in years.

Wennesland reported that Hamas and other militants fired more than 4,000 rockets from Gaza, a significant number of which were intercepted by Israel’s air defense system, Iron Dome, while Israel carried out over 1,500 strikes against what it said were militant targets.

The UN estimates more than 250 Palestinians were killed, including whole families, with 66 children among the victims.

In Israel, 13 people were killed: nine civilians, two of them children, as well as three foreigners and a soldier.