Death, destruction in Gaza 'unprecedented and unbearable' to witness: UN Mideast envoy

WASHINGTON

UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process voiced concern Tuesday about the scope of death and destruction in the Gaza Strip.

"The magnitude of hostilities between Israel and Hamas and the scope of death and destruction in Gaza have been unprecedented and unbearable to witness. I unequivocally condemn the killing of civilians in Gaza, including women and children," Tor Wennesland told the Security Council about the situation in the Middle East.

He mourned the loss of every civilian, including 131 UN personnel, the "single largest" loss of life in the history of the organization.

"I remain gravely concerned by the impact of the ongoing hostilities on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The current conditions are making it impossible for meaningful humanitarian operations to be conducted," he said.

He raised "deep" concern about escalated tensions in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

"Intensified armed exchanges between Palestinians and Israeli security forces, predominantly in the context of Israeli operations, have led to exceedingly high levels of fatalities and arrests.

"I am alarmed by the lethal attacks carried out by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and by Palestinians against Israelis in the occupied West Bank and Israel. All perpetrators of violence must be held accountable and swiftly brought to justice," he added.

Wennesland said the "relentless expansion" of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, threatens the viability of a future independent Palestinian State.

"It is critical at this important junction to enable the parties to re-engage on the long-delayed political path to a two-state solution. I urge Israelis, Palestinians, the states of the region and the broader international community to work together towards this goal," he added.

Israel's air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas have killed at least 19,453 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 52,286, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The war has left Gaza in ruins with half of the coastal territory's housing stock damaged or destroyed, and nearly 2 million residents displaced within the densely-populated enclave amid shortages of food and clean water.

Nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack, while more than 130 hostages remain in captivity.