Humanitarian Coordinator Briefs Security Council on the Recent Situation in Jenin – 07 July 2023 Daily Press Briefing by Spokesperson for Secretary-General – (Excerpts)

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

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Occupied Palestinian Territory

Lynn Hastings, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, briefed the Security Council this morning in consultations on the recent situation in Jenin.  Our humanitarian colleagues are on the ground in Jenin today assessing and responding to urgent needs.  During the Israeli military operation there, we delivered medical supplies, advocated for those injured to be able to safely access health care, and attempted to reach people in the refugee camp who lack food and water.  Due to significant infrastructure damage, the entire camp is without water, and some residents have been made homeless.  According to our humanitarian partners’ assessments, more than 100 households have lost their connection to the sewer system.

In the coming days, repairs to the water and sewer network will be a priority — as will the provision of emergency food and cash assistance and psychosocial support, especially to children.  Rehabilitating damage to homes, schools and health-care clinics — as well as assessing and mitigating the risks of unexploded ordnance — will also be critical.  To support these efforts, we urge Member States to step up their funding for the humanitarian response.  This year’s appeal to meet the needs of more than 2 million people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is just 20 per cent funded.

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Questions and Answers

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Question:  Thank you, Farhan.  Israel’s UN Ambassador has called on the Secretary-General to retract his condemnation of Israel for using excessive force in Jenin and instead to condemn what he called Palestinian terrorism and incitement.  What is the Secretary-General’s reaction?

Deputy Spokesman:  I don’t really have any response.  The Secretary-General conveyed his views to you in the press stakeout that he held yesterday, and he stands by those views. He clearly condemns all of the violence that has been affecting the civilians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, regardless of who is the perpetrator.

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Question:  Thank you, Farhan.  On Palestine, the Secretary-General, yesterday said that there is a need for mechanisms to provide protection for civilians in such situations.  How can such mechanism be established?  And is there a rule for the SG on that?

Deputy Spokesman: Well, we’ll have to see.  Ultimately, most mechanisms are set up by bodies of Member States, and we’ll have to see how the discussions proceed amongst them about this.  Yes, in the back?

Question:  Thank you, Farhan.  Sorry. I got in a little late.  My apologies.  Farhan, yesterday, Secretary-General was asked if he thought war crimes were committed by the Israelis in Jenin.  He didn’t answer the question.  Do you choose to take this opportunity to characterize his thinking on that question?

Deputy Spokesman: Not really.  War crimes are acts that can be decided upon by competent judicial bodies.  So, we would leave that matter up to them.  And with that, let me get to our guest.

For information media. Not an official record.