The United Nations Security Council holds an expanded meeting on the situation in Gaza.

Speaking at the meeting, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland expressed concern over the alarming and unstable developments and the unclear prospect of ending the war in Gaza as the conflict between Israel and Hamas enters its 140th day.

After visiting Gaza earlier this week, Mr. Wennesland described the humanitarian situation in the territory as “shocking, unsustainable and desperate”; displaced Palestinians are facing severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while infectious diseases are on the rise. According to Mr. Wennesland, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has plans to deliver essential goods and humanitarian aid, but this is being significantly limited by the fighting.

The UN Special Coordinator warned that the scale of the current emergency could quickly spiral out of control, and called on the international community to have a collective, coordinated and comprehensive response that would not only resolve the immediate crisis in Gaza, but also contribute to restoring the political future for both Palestinians and Israelis. Mr. Wennesland stressed that to do that, “the urgent issue is to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire, release all hostages, create space for dialogue instead of violence. Ultimately, the only lasting, sustainable and sustainable solution for Gaza is political.”

Referring to the two-state solution, the UN official said that international support for the consolidation and reform of the Palestinian Authority to enhance its legitimacy in Palestine and in the world is very important. Mr. Wennesland called for the establishment of a clear political framework towards ending the occupation and negotiating the two-state solution.

Speaking to the UNSC, Secretary General of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Christopher Lockyear warned that vetoing a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip would result in more deaths.

For his part, Robert Wood, Deputy Head of the US Permanent Mission to the UN, stated that the best way to promote a lasting peace and security for Israel is to support the establishment of an independent Palestinian State that exists alongside Israel. However, Mr. Robert Wood said that realizing this vision continues to face many obstacles.

Meanwhile, French Ambassador to the UN Nicholas de Rivière said that the urgent task now is to achieve a ceasefire to protect civilians and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region, and to unconditionally release all hostages, and this must be identified as a priority for the Security Council. The French diplomat also stressed the need to restore the political roadmap, towards the building of a Palestinian State and the establishment of a security mechanism for Israel. The two-state solution is the only way to create a just and sustainable peace in the region.