The United Nations urged for a political solution to end the war between Israelis and Palestinians on Wednesday, despite the fact that the international world is rushing aid to Gaza in the aftermath of the most recent round of fighting.
“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 a two-state solution on the basis of UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements,” said Lynn Hastings, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Palestine, while briefing the Security Council on developments in the aftermath of 11 days of brutal fighting in May.
Hastings informed ambassadors via video link from Jerusalem that the cost of the escalation is expected to be between 290 million and 380 million dollars, according to a World Bank and European Union assessment. Nearly $200 million in economic losses are expected. Gaza’s social sector has been severely harmed, eroding the safety net for the most vulnerable citizens, while immediate and short-term repair and restoration might cost up to $485 million.
“International efforts – coordinated by the United Nations – to implement the humanitarian response and stabilize the situation on the ground in Gaza is well underway,” said Hastings, who is also the UN resident coordinator in the Middle East.
“Thus far, some 45 million dollars of a requested 95 million dollars has been raised for the consolidated humanitarian flash appeal published by the UN in May,” she said.
Hasting emphasized the UN’s and partners’ preparedness to carry out recovery and reconstruction efforts in collaboration with Israeli and Palestinian authorities, Egypt, Qatar, and other regional and international entities.
Fuel deliveries to the Gaza Power Plant restarted on June 28 via the Kerem Shalom border, and other limitations on the import and export of specific products were relaxed, she said.
Israel also increased the Gaza fishing zone to 12 nautical miles, but cut it in half this week when incendiary balloons were launched into Israeli territory.
In a related subject, Hastings brought up the financial crisis at UNRWA, the UN agency that helps Palestinians, which is facing a $100 million shortage.
The cash flow issue in Gaza might jeopardize the reopening of schools for half a million students, as well as humanitarian and early recovery efforts.
