Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo completed today a visit to Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Jordan. The war in Gaza and the 7 October attacks that triggered it were at the centre of her discussions. 

On 19-20 November, in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Under-Secretary-General met with President Isaac Herzog and other senior Israeli officials, as well as with families of Israeli hostages taken on 7 October. On 21 November in Ramallah, she held talks with Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and other Palestinian leaders. She also met with the Palestinian Red Crescent leadership.  

During the visit, Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo spent time with UN staff, including from UNRWA, who have been working to bring needed relief to civilians in Gaza. She paid tribute to the dozens of UN colleagues who have paid the ultimate price during the violence. 

Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo concluded her visit on 22 November with meetings in Amman. 

Throughout her visit, Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo expressed her deep concern over the continued loss of life in Gaza following the abhorrent attacks of 7 October. She reiterated the Secretary-General’s three priorities: 1) achieving a humanitarian ceasefire and improving humanitarian access in the Strip; 2) the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages; and 3) preventing the escalation or expansion of the conflict. She welcomed the recent announcement of an agreement on release of hostages and a humanitarian pause but said much more must be done.

She also listened to the views of her interlocutors regarding ending the conflict, emphasizing the absolute need for all to commit to a political horizon through a two-state solution allowing Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace, security and dignity.