Tor Wennesland is currently in New York to have talks on finding a solution to the crisis and collaborating with the involved parties.

He informed reporters that we are aware of the obstacles that need to be overcome politically in order for this to occur.

No ‘quick fix’ 

“I’ve noticed that there is a convergence among the local, European, and global communities to witness this event. However, it’s not a simple solution and will require significant diplomatic efforts,” he stated.

Since the start of the Gaza conflict on October 7th, which was triggered by a deadly Hamas attack and hostage situation in southern Israel, Mr. Wennesland, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, has been constantly traveling.

During his time in New York, he will have meetings with the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the permanent members of the Security Council, including China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Afterward, he will travel to Washington, D.C.

A ‘humanitarian nightmare’ 

The goal is to find a way to move away from the current state of a humanitarian crisis and conflict in the West Bank and towards a resolution through political means, according to his statement.

In the meantime, Jamie McGoldrick, the temporary UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, has stated that he is currently in Gaza working towards determining crucial aid priorities for when a humanitarian ceasefire is implemented.

Ongoing conflicts prevent the United Nations from effectively delivering aid on the ground, according to Mr. Wennesland, who stated that a ceasefire is urgently needed.

He praised the diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and the US, but acknowledged that reaching a lasting ceasefire agreement would be extremely challenging and not a simple solution.

Crisis in Rafah 

The diplomat spoke shortly after the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, cautioned countries that any Israeli military intervention in Rafah – a city located in the southern border with Egypt and currently housing hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians – would worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and potentially lead to unforeseen consequences in the region.

When questioned about the current circumstances, Mr. Wennesland mentioned that Rafah is currently the sole way for aid to enter Gaza. He emphasized the humanitarian view and also stated that efforts are being made to address the political aspect between Israel and Egypt in a proactive and intensive manner.

When asked about the situation in Gaza and the people who have lost everything, he expressed difficulty in finding the right words. He also acknowledged the challenge of trying to offer hope while being in a safe place, speaking to those who are in the midst of a terrible situation.

The speaker emphasized the importance of the global community to exert pressure on key factors that would incite change. They also reiterated the plea for a ceasefire, which would be achieved through an agreement to exchange hostages and prisoners.

Source: news.un.org