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Published: 12:14, August 09, 2022 | Updated: 12:14, August 09, 2022
UN Mideast envoy calls for talks on Israeli-Palestinian conflict
By Xinhua
Published:12:14, August 09, 2022 Updated:12:14, August 09, 2022 By Xinhua

Palestinian workers wait for transportation after crossing from Gaza to Israel, on the Israeli side of Erez crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip, March 27, 2022. (ODED BALILTY / AP)

UNITED NATIONS - UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland on Monday described a cease-fire in Gaza and Israel as fragile, and called for talks toward a two-state solution to end the cycles of violence.

On Sunday night, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced in separate statements that a cease-fire had been agreed, said UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland, noting that cease-fire remains in place so far

The past days witnessed a deeply worrying escalation in the Gaza Strip between Israeli military forces and Palestinian armed groups, primarily the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Wennesland told a Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East.

ALSO READ: Israel and Palestinian militants declare Gaza truce

On Sunday night, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced in separate statements that a cease-fire had been agreed, he said, noting that cease-fire remains in place so far.

Citing the crucial role played by Egypt in securing the cease-fire alongside the United Nations, as well as support by related parties, Wennesland said the de-escalation of the situation helped prevent the outbreak of a full-scale war and allowed for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza starting earlier Monday.

But he pointed out that the most recent escalation had its roots in deeper tensions.

ALSO READ: Israel intercepts rockets fired from Gaza

"I want to make the Council aware of the following: the cease-fire is fragile. Any resumption of hostilities will only have devastating consequences for Palestinians and Israelis and make any political progress elusive," he said in his briefing to the Security Council.

Wennesland reiterated calls to the Israeli and Palestinian leadership, along with the international community, to strengthen diplomatic efforts to return to meaningful negotiations toward a viable two-state solution.

READ MORE: Palestinian PM denounces Israel's cut of Palestinian tax revenues

"Ultimately, the underlying drivers of this and previous escalations remain. These cycles of violence will only cease when we achieve a political resolution of the conflict that brings an end to the occupation and the realization of a two-state solution on the basis of the 1967 lines, in line with UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements," he said.


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