Wednesday 26 / February / 2025
New York: UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ad Interim Sigrid Kaag affirmed that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has reached catastrophic levels, with residents suffering from a severe shortage of basic needs, due to the consequences of the Israeli aggression on the Strip.
In her briefing to the UN Security Council (UNSC), Kaag stressed the need to enable Palestinians to rebuild their lives and future, and to reject any form of forced displacement, affirming that Gaza must remain an integral part of the future Palestinian state, and remain politically, economically and administratively united with the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
She explained that the first phase of the ceasefire, which came into effect on 19 January 2025, provided some relief to the people of the Strip, but stressed the need to further enhance humanitarian efforts to meet urgent needs and prevent the humanitarian crisis from worsening.
She stressed the need to avoid resuming fighting at all costs, calling on the parties to fully commit to the ceasefire and move forward with negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire, noting that the UN, non-governmental organizations and member states have intensified their efforts since the start of the truce to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza, taking advantage of improved access and security conditions.
The UN official warned that humanitarian aid alone is not enough, highlighting the importance of building a sustainable future for Palestinians in Gaza, through comprehensive recovery and reconstruction plans, as initial estimates indicate that $53 billion will be needed for recovery and reconstruction.
Regarding the situation in the West Bank, Kaag expressed her deep concern about the continued escalation of Israeli occupation violations against Palestinians there, stressing that reports indicate widespread casualties, destruction and displacement, especially in Jenin, Tubas, and Tulkarm, where refugee camps and infrastructure are severely affected.
“These developments along with continued calls for annexation, present an existential threat to the prospect of a viable and independent Palestinian State and thereby the two-State solution,” Kaag warned.
She also expressed concern about attempts to stop the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the occupied Palestinian territories, affirming that UNRWA’s services remain essential and must be allowed to continue without hindrance.
Kaag outlined four main demands to the UNSC that include sustaining the ceasefire agreement while securing the release of all hostages, preventing escalation in the West Bank where violence continues to rise, the need to reform the Palestinian Authority, and the mobilisation of financial and political backing to rebuild the shattered enclave, she concluded.
