UN warns Gaza is "tinderbox"

NEW YORK, June 20 (KUNA) -- UN Middle East Coordinator anew warned all parties that Gaza is a "tinderbox," calling for a collective responsibility to prevent it from exploding that might result in devastating consequences for the population and derail all efforts at advancing peace.
The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov, briefed the Security Council on Tuesday on the implementation of UN resolution 2334, which calls on Israel to take steps to cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.
However, Mladenov confirmed to the Council that no such steps have been taken during the reporting period. In fact- since March 24- there has been substantial increase in settlement-related announcements as compared with the previous reporting period, with plans for nearly 4,000 housing units moving forward and 2,000 tenders issued.
Mladenov added that the security situation on the ground remained relatively calm, but he noted reported deaths of 17 Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces in various incidents, including reported terror attacks, clashes, and military operations. One Israeli soldier and one policewoman were killed in recent attacks by Palestinians.
On the American side, the US Ambassador Nikki Haley called the Council to unite and pressure Hamas to end its tyranny over the people of Gaza. "We should condemn Hamas in this Council's resolutions and statements," she added.
Ambassador Haley told the Council that Hamas must be named "as the group responsible when rockets are fired from Gaza, or when fresh tunnels are discovered." She also said the Council should designate Hamas as "a terrorist organization in a resolution, with consequences for anyone who continues to support it." With such solution, she said the Council will be helping build a more peaceful Middle East, and the UNSC can fulfill its responsibility to actually maintain international peace and security." Prior to the meeting, French Ambassador to the UN Francois Delattre told the press that after 50 years of occupation, it is time for the international community to re-engage in a resumption of discussions between the parties.
"The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the longest conflict in the Middle East but it is also the only conflict whose solution is perfectly identified. We all know the parameters of the solution: it is the two-state solution, there is no alternative. France's position has always been very clear on this point," he added.
On Gaza, the French diplomat said the solution comes with the restoration of the control of the Palestinian government, under the authority of President Mahmoud Abbas.
The meeting coincides with the 50-year anniversary of the Arab-Israerli war, which resulted in Israel's occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, gaza and the Syrian Golan. The UN seek to achieve a negotiated two-state solution to lay the foundations for enduring peace.(end) mao.bs