Action by UN System and Intergovernmental Organizations Relevant to the Question of Palestine (September 2024 Monthly Bulletin)

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The Bulletin can be found in the United Nations Information System on the Question of Palestine (UNISPAL) at https://www.un.org/unispal/data-collection/monthly-bulletin/

Disclaimer: The texts cited in this Monthly Bulletin have been reproduced in their original form. The Division for Palestinian Rights is consequently not responsible for the views, positions or discrepancies contained in these texts.

September 2024

Volume XLVII, Bulletin No. IX

Contents

Apartheid Israel is targeting Gaza and the West Bank simultaneously, says UN human rights expert
UN Special Coordinator visits Gaza, call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid
“We need an immediate ceasefire” says UN’s Political Affairs Chief to the Security Council
UN OCHA calls on Security Council to “end the suffering” in Gaza and West Bank
OHCHR: Israeli forces have killed 36 Palestinians, including eight children, in operation in northern West Bank, while settler violence intensifies
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights calls to end war in Gaza and address systemic violations of international law
45,000 first graders unable to start the new school year in the Gaza Strip: UNICEF
UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict expresses serious concerns over reported instances of rape, other sexual violence against Palestinian detainees
UN Secretary-General strongly condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza “safe zone,” humanitarian convoy
UNRWA Commissioner-General appeals for support to the Arab League
UN experts urge Israel to stop attacks and harassment against journalists in occupied West Bank
UNCTAD report warns of severe economic crisis, collapsing GDP, soaring unemployment amid Gaza conflict
UN Secretary-General condemns deadly strike on school housing IDPs in Gaza, calls for a ceasefire
Around 560,000 children vaccinated in first round of polio campaign in Gaza – WHO
Over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, with more than 93,000 injured, says UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza
UN human rights expert on torture calls for immediate release of Israeli hostages after meeting with former hostages and families
OHCHR urges Israel to stop forcible transfer of Palestinian herding communities and annexation of parts of the West Bank
General Assembly overwhelmingly demands that Israel end its unlawful presence in Occupied Palestinian Territory within 1 year
UN Palestinian Rights Committee Bureau welcomes historic resolution calling for an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine
Thirty-nine UN human rights experts warn that States remain paralyzed in the face of ICJ ruling, urge them to comply
31^st Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of UN SCR 2334 (2016) on settlements
UN Child Rights Committee urges Israel to immediately cease the killing and injuring of Palestinian children in Gaza
Israeli authorities stop issuing visas to the international NGO community
Israeli military must stop attacking schools that provide the last shelter to Palestinians in Gaza – OHCHR
UN expert shocked by death of another Palestinian doctor in Israeli detention
UN country team submits draft early recovery strategy for Gaza to AHLC donor group
Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) meets in New York
People of Gaza in ‘a Living Hell’, Secretary-General tells ministerial meeting on UNRWA, calls for intensified support, funding to agency
Immediate ceasefire leading to two-state solution ‘only way to end cycle of tragedy’ in Middle East, Secretary-General tells Security Council

I. Apartheid Israel is targeting Gaza and the West Bank simultaneously, says UN human rights expert

On 2 September, Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, issued the following press release.

A UN independent expert warned today that Israel’s intensification of its military assault against the northern West Bank marks a dangerous escalation of grave violence and human rights violations committed by Israel against the Palestinian people since 7 October 2023.

“Israel’s genocidal violence risks leaking out of Gaza and into the occupied Palestinian territory as a whole,” warned Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967.

“The writing is on the wall, and we cannot continue to ignore it. There is mounting evidence that no Palestinian is safe under Israel’s unfettered control. While this was also true before Hamas’ attack on 7 October, the risk has since intensified,” Albanese said.

Continuous genocidal incitements by top Israeli leaders and officials remain unpunished, and are often acted upon by soldiers, armed settlers and others, revealing the intent to destroy the Palestinian people under occupation. Increasingly loud calls by Israeli leaders for turning the towns in the West Bank and refugee camps into a “mini-Gaza”, are translating into military operations that are causing heavy death tolls and widespread destruction to the West Bank’s urban areas.

Systematic aerial and ground attacks on Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarem and Tubas governorates, particularly targeting refugee camps, have intensified in the past few months. Recently, on 28 August, Israeli occupation forces launched a full-scale military operation against these areas that have already killed 22 Palestinians and injured dozens.

Bulldozers have destroyed critical infrastructure, including roads, water and energy grids. New checkpoints have been established, following Israel’s Foreign Minister Katz’s declaration that “We must deal with the threat just as we deal with the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, including the temporary evacuation of Palestinian residents and whatever steps are required. This is a war for everything, and we must win it.”

An evacuation order has been issued to Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem and a city hospital in besieged Jenin, currently treating 150 patients. The Israeli occupation forces have blocked entry to the three main hospitals and imposed a curfew, while Israeli ground forces have invaded and besieged Shu’fat refugee camp in East Jerusalem.

The expert notes that since 7 October 2023, 652 Palestinians have been killed outside of Gaza, including 151children, thousands injured, over 3,300 have been displaced and over 12,000 arbitrarily detained, de facto hostages of the unlawful occupying Power.

The increasing violence in the West Bank coincides with unprecedented levels of displacement, depopulation and land confiscation carried out by the State of Israel in collaboration with settler militias in the area since the Oslo era. This continues even after the International Court of Justice concluded that this occupation is unlawful, and Israel must dismantle it together with the colonies and its associated regime.

“Apartheid Israel is targeting Gaza and the West Bank simultaneously, as part of an overall process of elimination, replacement and territorial expansion” she said.

“The long-standing impunity granted to Israel is enabling the de-Palestinisation of the occupied territory, leaving Palestinians at the mercy of the forces pursuing their elimination as a national group,” warned the expert.

“The international community, made of both states and non-state actors, including companies and financial institutions, must do everything it can to immediately end the risk of genocide against the Palestinian people under Israel’s occupation, ensure accountability and ultimately end Israel’s colonisation of Palestinian territory.”

II. UN Special Coordinator visits Gaza, call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid

Following is the statement by Tor Wennesland, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, issued on 2 September

Today, I returned to Gaza and witnessed firsthand the catastrophic impact of the hostilities. The scale of destruction is immense, the humanitarian needs are colossal and soaring, and civilians continue to bear the brunt of this conflict. I unequivocally condemn the horrifying civilian death toll in Gaza.

During my visit, I met with the heads of UN agencies and our dedicated staff working tirelessly in extremely challenging conditions. Their commitment and bravery in providing critical support to those in need is truly commendable.

I also had the opportunity to visit a Polio vaccination centre. Its reemergence represents yet another threat to the children in the Gaza Strip. I welcome the humanitarian pauses to allow for the vaccination campaigns to take place.

Every day that passes puts more lives in danger. On this note, I condemn the tragic killing of six hostages in Gaza by Palestinian armed groups. I reiterate my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and urge all sides to reach an agreement that will bring about an immediate release of all hostages and a humanitarian ceasefire.

I continue to be engaged with all stakeholders towards these objectives. A deal is crucial to saving lives, reducing regional tensions and enabling the UN, in cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, to accelerate efforts to address the pressing needs of Gaza’s population.

The ongoing conflict has destroyed the lives of countless families. It must stop.

III. “We need an immediate ceasefire” says UN’s Political Affairs Chief to the Security Council

On 4 September, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo delivered the following remarks at the Security Council.

Nearly a year has passed since the horrific attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Israel, the single deadliest attack in the country’s history. Over 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed and around 250 individuals were abducted and taken into Gaza.

A few days ago, we learned the heartbreaking news of the killing of six Israeli hostages, whose bodies were recovered by the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza.

I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I met the loved ones of several hostages last November in Jerusalem, including the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin. I watched the shocking and heartbreaking video footage of his capture – images I will never forget.

According to the Israeli government, the hostages had been shot multiple times at close range. They were killed by Hamas shortly before Israeli soldiers were able to reach them inside a tunnel in Rafah.

Following the recovery of the bodies, Hamas announced that militants guarding hostages in the buildings and tunnels of Gaza had new instructions to kill hostages before they could be recovered alive by Israeli forces.

At least 101 hostages are still held in Gaza; they are still denied humanitarian visits. Accounts of released hostages and other reports indicate that they are likely being held in horrific conditions, with some being subject to violence, including sexual violence, and other forms of abuse.

I echo the words of the Secretary-General once again: all hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. For as long as they are held, in accordance with international legal obligations, they must be treated humanely and allowed to receive visits and assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross.

We need an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages, and a massive scale up of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

I welcome the continued efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States in this regard. Recent meetings in Doha and Cairo attempted to bridge gaps, but major differences persist. More must be done to reach a deal without further delay. The United Nations remains committed to supporting all efforts to this end.

Meanwhile, the situation on the ground looks grim. Israeli military operations continue across Gaza and the number of fatalities tragically keeps increasing.

According to the Gaza Ministry of Health (MOH), since 7 October, some 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, a majority of whom were reportedly women and children.

We continue to witness mass displacement of thousands of Palestinian families – most unable to access medical services, water and sanitation. Many families have been displaced several times. Nowhere is safe in Gaza.

At the same time, the indiscriminate launching of rockets by Hamas and other armed groups towards population centres in Israel also continues. Civilian objects in Gaza, including infrastructure are also reportedly being used to shield fighters and military objectives, endangering the lives of civilians in and around them.

Civilians should not be used as human shields.

Humanitarian access is tenuous at best, jeopardized by unsafe conditions, including a complete breakdown of law and order throughout Gaza. The 27 August security incident involving a WFP humanitarian convoy forced the Agency to temporarily suspend the movement of its staff.

My colleague, Director Wosornu from OCHA, will shortly brief you further on the catastrophic humanitarian situation and the agonizing conditions faced by humanitarian workers.

Also, the Secretary-General has been following closely the polio immunization campaign currently underway in Gaza. The images of young children receiving their vaccinations amid rubble and utter ruin are both moving and distressing.

The polio pauses are a rare ray of hope and humanity amid the horror in Gaza. I note that the arrangements established between UN agencies and the IDF to pause military activity in the designated vaccination areas have so far been respected.

Like the Secretary-General, I commend all those involved in this undertaking, especially our extraordinary humanitarian colleagues leading the campaign.

While we continue to focus on ending the killing and destruction in Gaza, we cannot lose sight of the alarming situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. This includes Israeli military operations, settler attacks and armed Palestinian violence against Israelis.

Most recently, Israel launched on 28 August large-scale military operations against alleged terrorist cells in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas governorates. The operations also involved the use of airstrikes.

These intensive and week-long operations resulted in clashes with armed Palestinians, civilian casualties, and damage to civilian infrastructure.

The operations were launched amid an uptick in attacks and clashes throughout the occupied West Bank, including in the Hebron area, with two car bombs near Israeli settlements the night of 30 August, the killing of three Israeli police officers in their car the following day, and a subsequent Israeli military operation in the area.

Overall, since 7 October, some 630 Palestinians and 15 Israelis have been killed in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. All perpetrators of violence – Israeli or Palestinian – must be held accountable.

Recent dangerous and provocative acts and statements are further enflaming the situation. Statements by Palestinian armed groups calling for further violence and attacks against Israelis are unacceptable and must cease. The recent inflammatory acts and statements by an Israeli Minister at the Holy Sites in Jerusalem add to an already explosive situation in the occupied West Bank.

The status quo at the Holy Sites in Jerusalem must be respected and upheld, recognizing the special and historic role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as custodian of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem.

With every passing day we get further away from the objective of ending the occupation and achieving a viable two-State solution.

We remain convinced that durable peace will only be achieved when Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian state live side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders, on the basis of the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.

It is our responsibility to do all we can to support the parties in reaching that objective.

IV. UN OCHA calls on Security Council to “end the suffering” in Gaza and West Bank

On 4 September, Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, on behalf of the Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, delivered the following statement at the Security Council.

The latest developments in Gaza and the West Bank compel us to reaffirm, yet again, the equal value of every human life.

The aim of international humanitarian law is to limit the consequences of war by setting minimum standards of conduct to protect and meet the needs of those who are not fighting – the basic requirements of humanity.

Yet, suffering and devastation show that there has been almost no limit to the inhumanity unfolding before our eyes. There are no winners in this war – instead, it is marked by loss and agony, with civilians bearing the heaviest burden.

As Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo has just noted, we see this in the Hamas attacks on 7 October, when more than 1,000 people were killed, including scores of children. We see this in the recent killings of six hostages. Again, as Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo has said, an estimated 101 Israeli and foreign nationals remain hostage in Gaza, including the remains of those declared dead.

We are alarmed by the treatment and conditions of the remaining hostages and the refusal to allow visits or assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross.

We also have grave concerns about the injury and death toll among Palestinians in Gaza – more than 40,000 people killed and 93,000 people injured, over half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Much of this death and devastation is the result of the use of heavy weapons in densely populated areas, including in camps, shelters and areas where civilians have been told to evacuate. The brutality of this conflict seems to know no limits.

We see this in the many attacks harming humanitarian workers: 295 humanitarian workers killed since 7 October. We also see this in the attacks on humanitarian assets: since January, United Nations vehicles have been directly hit in more than a dozen separate incidents even though their movements were notified.

Attacks hitting humanitarian personnel and their movement are further limiting the delivery of life-saving aid. As noted last week, the World Food Programme temporarily suspended staff movements following an attack that hit one of its convoys on 28 August.

We see it in the reports of ill-treatment, including torture and sexual violence, of thousands of Palestinians taken into detention by Israeli forces in Gaza and the West Bank. We see this in the parties’ reported use of human shields, and the embedding of military presence in populated areas.

The medical system in Gaza has been decimated, leaving people – including pregnant and breastfeeding women, and small children – without critical care. 19 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals – more than half – are out of service. As noted, many times before, the remaining hospitals are barely functioning, overwhelmed by patients amid shortages of fuel and medical supplies.

Water infrastructure has been severely hampered, damaged, reducing the water supply to just a quarter of what it was before October 2023.

Food sources and production facilities have been destroyed. Food delivery remains severely hampered by ongoing fighting, damaged roads, and barriers to the entry and movement of humanitarian supplies. Around 96 per cent of the population continue to face high levels of acute food insecurity, with nearly half a million people facing catastrophic hunger.

Vital humanitarian operations have been crippled, with growing denials of humanitarian missions and movements within Gaza, which is only causing suffering to compound further.

At the same time, repeated evacuation orders leave civilians exposed to the dangers of hostilities and deprived of the essentials to survive. There is no safe place for civilians in Gaza. They must be allowed to seek protection. It does not have to be this way. Indeed, over the past few days, there have been signs that humanitarian objectives can inspire positive steps.

We welcome the local humanitarian pauses, which have enabled the launch of the emergency polio vaccination campaign, again, as Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo highlighted), and recognize the colossal efforts of health actors to carry out the campaign in a very challenging environment. The Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator met with the highest levels of the Government of Israel yesterday on humanitarian concerns, including the importance of the polio campaign.

According to the World Health Organization, over 187,000 children under the age of 10 have been vaccinated in the first phase of the campaign, towards the goal of reaching more than 640,000 children in the coming period. UNRWA [the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] is playing a vital role, including with over 200 teams operating in its clinics and health points.

We also welcome the repair of the main water line between Israel and Khan Younis by local partners in cooperation with UNICEF. While the water and sanitation situation in Gaza remains dire, the repair has restored water service in several areas, including Al Mawasi, where hundreds of thousands of displaced people endure unbearable conditions.

Despite all the challenges, we remain on the ground in Al Mawasi and across Gaza, providing essential assistance, including food and shelter, and protection services, as best we can. Food rations are being distributed, albeit at reduced levels. Due to the lack of supplies, wheat flour is excluded from the ration as it is prioritized for the 14 bakeries supported by humanitarian actors. Tents are also being distributed, though they are insufficient to match the needs of repeatedly displaced families, especially with the approaching cold and rainy weather.

Allow me to reiterate our concern from last week – we remain very alarmed by the human toll of intensified Israeli military operations in the West Bank. On the night of 27 and 28 August, Israeli Forces launched the largest military operation in decades in northern West Bank, against the backdrop of increased casualties, settler violence, forced displacement and movement restrictions. It’s now been a week, and that operation is still ongoing.

Humanitarian organizations assessed needs in Tulkarm and are responding but were denied access by Israeli forces for an assessment in Jenin. While access denials have limited our ability to fully assess the humanitarian impact, we can confirm that over two dozen Palestinians have been killed over the past week; hundreds of families have been displaced; and there has been widescale damage to basic infrastructure and private property from airstrikes, military bulldozers, exchanges of fire and explosive detonations.

I recall that any use of force in the West Bank must comply with international human rights law and the standards governing law enforcement. Tactics typically used during hostilities in armed conflict are inconsistent with these standards and raise concerns of excessive use of force.

Respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law is not optional. Allow me to restate that hostages must be released, civilians must be protected, and their essential needs must be met. This Council – and all Member States – must use their influence to ensure compliance, including by exerting diplomatic and other pressure and cooperating in pursuing accountability.

We once again appeal to Council Members and all Member States to achieve an immediate cessation of hostilities and a sustained ceasefire in Gaza, and to de-escalate the situation in the West Bank. Resolutions passed by this Council promised an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. They also called for the release of hostages. Yet, months later, the violence continues, thousands more people have been killed, and hostages remain separated from their families.

It is time for this Council to turn its promises into reality and end the suffering.

V. OHCHR: Israeli forces have killed 36 Palestinians, including eight children, in operation in northern West Bank, while settler violence intensifies

On 6 September, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory issued the following press release.

Since 27-28 August, an operation on a scale not experienced for two decades saw Israeli security forces (ISF) attack with airstrikes, shelling, live ammunition, and bulldozers, refugee camps and cities across northern West Bank, killing 36 Palestinians, including eight children (seven boys and one girl), in Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas governorates. Fourteen of those killed were killed by airstrikes, four by ground-to- ground missiles, seventeen were shot and killed with live ammunition, and one man (58-years-old) was found dead, with signs of beating and handcuffing, after being arrested at his home by ISF and detained for several hours. One Israeli soldier was killed by an improvised explosive device.

Information gathered so far indicates a prevalence of unnecessary, disproportionate and thus unlawful use of force by ISF, including through airstrikes to arbitrarily kill Palestinians “wanted” by ISF, as well as the arbitrary deprivation of life of unarmed Palestinians, including children and older persons. In the most recent incidents, on 3 September in Jenin, ISF shot in the head and killed a 16-year-old Palestinian girl while she was at her home in Kafr Dan. ISF subsequently shot at paramedics, and at journalists, attempting to approach the girl’s home, injuring three Palestinian journalists. According to eyewitnesses, on 4 September, in Al Faraˈ camp, Tubas, ISF shot an unarmed 17-year-old boy, first in the leg and then at point blank range in the neck, and took him away on the large front blade of a bulldozer. The boy was found four hours later by paramedics, dead, naked and disfigured. On 6 September, after nine days of continuous siege and attacks, ISF apparently withdrew from Jenin, as well as from Tulkarem though concerns remain they will return for further military operations. In a separate incident, on 6 September ISF shot in the head and killed a 26-year-old American activist in Beita, Nablus, while she was participating in a peaceful anti- settlement protest.

In addition to these unlawful killings, ISF destroyed – through airstrikes, shelling and the use of bulldozers – homes, shops, roads as well as water, sewage and electricity infrastructure, leaving thousands of Palestinian residents for days without access to essential services and supplies, including food, while stuck in their homes under curfew. This may amount to the collective punishment of the Palestinian population, which is a war crime. In Jenin alone, where ISF’s operation in the camp continued without interruption for nine consecutive days, Palestinian officials estimated that 20 km of essential water, sewage, electricity, and communication networks were bulldozed and 70% of the road network was destroyed. Over 1,000 Palestinian families from the Jenin Refugee Camp and the Eastern neighbourhood of the city were forced to leave their homes, either because they were taken over and used by ISF during the operation, or due to the intensity of the violence and their inability to access essential supplies. They are currently sheltering in neighbouring villages. Destruction and the forced displacement of Palestinians was also reported in Tulkarem and its refugee camps, although figures are not yet available due to the inaccessibility of roads and other restrictions obstructing the movement of medics, civil defence and humanitarian workers.

State violence along with settlement expansion and discriminatory movement restrictions continues to lead to mass displacement and the further unlawful annexation of large parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, threatening the viability of the Palestinian State. Over the past weeks, groups of settlers backed by ISF have been terrorizing multiple herding communities in Ein Al Hilweh and Farisiya in northern Jordan Valley, leaving increasing numbers of Palestinian herders with no other choice but to leave their lands, to the benefit of settlers. The UN Human Rights Office recorded increasing attacks on Palestinians as well as activists trying to provide a protective presence, with settlers driving quad bikes and entering tents, including at night with high beams turned on, and filming women and children inside their tents, throwing stones, using pepper spray, stealing fodder and agricultural equipment, blocking access to water and grazing land, and threatening communities at gunpoint in order to force them to leave. On 5 September, the UN Human Rights Office was informed that approximately 50 herders were forced to leave under this coercive environment, from Ein l-Hilweh-Wadi Al-Fao and Al-Jiftlik-Ashuneh in the Jordan Valley. Other herding communities such as Farisiya-Nab’ al Ghazal in the northern Jordan Valley, Arab Al-Mulaihat in Al Mu’arjat, and Ras Ein Al-Auja in Jericho remain under intensive daily attacks and imminent risk of forcible transfer.

VI. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights calls to end war in Gaza and address systemic violations of international law

Below are excerpts from the remarks of Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, at the opening of the 57^th session of the Human Rights Council.

Next month will mark two years since I took up my position as High Commissioner. For this Global Update, I would therefore like to depart from the usual listing of various country situations and offer some broader reflections about the state of human rights today, at the mid-way point of my mandate.

It seems to me we are at a fork in the road. We can either continue on our current path — a treacherous ‘new normal’ — and sleepwalk into a dystopian future. Or we can wake up and turn things around for the better, for humanity and the planet.

The ‘new normal’ cannot be endless, vicious military escalation and increasingly horrifying, technologically “advanced” methods of warfare, control, and repression. The ‘new normal’ cannot be continued indifference to deepening inequalities within and between States.

It cannot be the free-for-all spread of disinformation, smothering facts and the ability to make free and informed choices. Heated rhetoric and simplistic fixes, erasing context, nuance, and empathy. Paving the way for hate speech and the dire consequences that inevitably follow.

The ‘new normal’ cannot mean accepting the injustice, driven by greed, that the triple planetary crisis affects those who are the least responsible the most. Or that sustainable development remains elusive for so many. The ‘new normal’ cannot be that national sovereignty is twisted to shroud – or excuse – horrific violations. Or the discrediting of multilateral institutions or attempts to rewrite the international rules, chipping away at universally agreed norms.

This cannot be the world we want – as individuals, for our families and loved ones, for our societies, and for our global community and future generations. We can and must make a different choice. Reconnect with our common humanity, nature, and our planet. In other words, we could choose to be guided by human rights and the universal values that we all share.

/…

Sadly, the war in Gaza is the quintessential example.

Since the horrific 7 October attacks claimed the lives of over 1,200 victims in Israel and injured many others, over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, several thousand injured, and thousands remain under the rubble in Gaza. Each day, Palestinians struggle to survive. Nearly 1.9 million people have been forcibly displaced across the strip, many multiple times. Eleven months on, 101 Israeli hostages are still held to be in Gaza. While the actual number is likely higher, almost 10,000 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons or ad hoc military facilities, many arbitrarily, with over 50 people having died due to inhumane conditions and ill-treatment. In the West Bank, deadly and destructive operations, some at a scale not witnessed in the last two decades, are worsening a calamitous situation there, already aggravated by serious settler violence.

Ending that war and averting a full-blown regional conflict is an absolute and urgent priority. Equally, the wider situation of illegality across the occupied Palestinian territory deriving from Israel’s policies and practices, as so clearly spelled out by the International Court of Justice in its Advisory Opinion in July, must be comprehensively addressed.

States must not – cannot – accept blatant disregard for international law, including binding decisions of the Security Council and orders of the International Court of Justice, neither in this nor any other situation.

/…

VII. 45,000 first graders unable to start the new school year in the Gaza Strip: UNICEF

On 9 September, the following press release was issued by the United Nations Children’s Fund.

As children prepare for their first year and first day at school across several countries in the Middle East, at least 45,000 six-year-old children in the Gaza Strip are deprived of this right. The vast majority of them have been displaced from their homes and are facing a daily battle for survival.

The new school year was due to start across the State of Palestine today, but it has not resumed in the Gaza Strip where the intense conflict continues to take a dramatic toll on Gaza’s students, teachers and schools. The first graders join 625,000 children who have already been denied an entire school year, and with the conflict still ongoing, face the high risk of a second year without education.

“Children in the Gaza Strip have lost their homes, family members, friends, safety, and routine,” said UNICEF Middle East and North Africa Regional Director Adele Khodr. “They have also lost the sanctuary and stimulation provided by school, putting their bright futures at risk of being dimmed by this terrible conflict.”

Since October 2023, every school in the Gaza Strip has been shuttered. Among the students who were unable to learn last year are 39,000 students who missed their final year of school and couldn’t take their Tawjihi exams. This marks the first time in decades that a graduating class in the Strip has faced such a situation.

For older children, the disruption to their education has created uncertainty and anxiety. Without schooling, young people are at an increased risk of exploitation, child labour, early marriage, and other forms of abuse, and most importantly they are at risk of dropping out of school permanently.

For younger children, the absence of schooling threatens their cognitive, social, and emotional development. Parents are reporting significant mental health and psychosocial impacts among children, including feelings of increased frustration and isolation.

Children in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem are also affected as the school year starts. Increasing violence and movement restrictions since October 2023 have created new learning barriers for the 782,000 students there. Data from the Ministry of Education and the Education Cluster suggests that, on any day since October 2023, between 8 and 20 per cent of schools in the West Bank have been closed. Even when schools are not closed, the fear of violence, movement restrictions, and mental health concerns have led many students to skip school, leading to more learning loss.

In both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, attacks on schools and education have increased in recent weeks. In the Gaza Strip, at least 84 per cent of schools require full reconstruction or significant rehabilitation before schooling can resume. In the West Bank including East Jerusalem, there has been 69 attacks on schools and 2,354 incidents affecting schools, students and teachers in or around schools, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Education.

Despite these overwhelming and critical needs, education continues to be one of the least funded sectors in humanitarian appeals. In the State of Palestine, UNICEF’s education programming faces an 88 per cent funding gap.

To respond to this situation, UNICEF and its partners have established 39 Temporary Learning Spaces in the Gaza Strip serving over 12,400 students. In addition, recreational activities, emergency learning kits, and Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support (MHPSS) are being offered to children, youth, caregivers, and teachers in shelters.

“We must find ways to restart learning and rebuild schools to uphold the right to education of the next generations in the State of Palestine,” Khodr continued “Children need stability to cope with the trauma they have experienced, and the opportunity to develop and reach their full potential.”

“All barriers preventing us from doing our important work must be lifted. We must urgently be able to bring education and recreational supplies into Gaza at scale, have safe spaces to run learning hubs, and have guarantees students and teachers can safely access, live or learn in school buildings. Above all else, we need a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a de-escalation in the West Bank so all children can return to the classroom and damaged schools can be rebuilt.”

VIII. UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict expresses serious concerns over reported instances of rape, other sexual violence against Palestinian detainees

On 9 September, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten, issued the following press release.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC), Ms. Pramila Patten, expresses her deep concern about recently published reports by the United Nations including OHCHR, describing a dramatic deterioration in conditions of detention for Palestinian men, women and children under Israeli custody, since the 7 October attacks and the escalation of hostilities in Gaza. These very disturbing reports of sexual violence and other inhuman and degrading treatment could amount to sexualized torture, perpetrated against Palestinian men and women and include widespread sexual slurs and threats of rape and gang rape, repeated and humiliating strip searches and prolonged forced nudity, beatings and electrocution of genitals and anus, insertion of objects into detainees’ anuses, inappropriate touching of women by both male and female soldiers, and photographing or filming of naked or partially undressed detainees in humiliating positions. “Sexual violence and sexualized torture in any form and in any context, and particularly in detention settings, is unacceptable. Such abhorrent acts not only constitute a grave violation of human rights and human dignity, but they also undermine efforts towards peace and stability in the region”, stated Special Representative Patten who calls for the provision to the victims, of necessary medical and psychological support to begin the healing process.

Special Representative Patten recalls the extensive media coverage of the recent case of the Palestinian male detainee who was hospitalized in July with severe injuries including to his rectum, due to sexual violence allegedly perpetrated in the Sde Teiman military base. Special Representative Patten stresses the importance of upholding international human rights standards and ensuring that detention conditions strictly conform with international norms and standards, and urges Israeli authorities to grant unhindered access to relevant international bodies to detention facilities in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian Territories including Gaza and reiterates her call for independent and thorough investigations by relevant and competent UN bodies into all these alleged violations in order to bring all perpetrators, regardless of rank or affiliation, to justice.

Special Representative Patten acknowledges that some steps were taken by the Israeli Military Police Criminal Investigation Division to investigate the alleged rape of the Palestinian detainee hospitalized in July but remains concerned at the limited number of investigations opened compared to the number of complaints received. “I am particularly concerned about recent attempts by some Israeli political actors, to interfere with ongoing justice processes and/ or to justify the use of these methods. Sexual violence and sexualized torture in detention settings must never be normalized. Impunity emboldens perpetrators, silences victims and undermines prospects for peace. Perpetrators of such heinous crimes must be held accountable and justice must be served”, added Special Representative Patten who calls for prompt, thorough, independent, impartial and effective investigations into all alleged violations.

SRSG Patten also expresses her deep sorrow for the recent tragic events involving the killing of six hostages by Hamas while in captivity. She extends heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and reiterates an immediate and unequivocal call for the safe and unconditional release of all remaining hostages and for an immediate ceasefire.

IX. UN Secretary-General strongly condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza “safe zone,” humanitarian convoy

The following statement was issued on 10 September by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

The Secretary-General strongly condemns today’s Israeli air strikes in a densely populated Israeli-designated zone in Khan Younis and the killing of civilians, including women and children.

The use of heavy weapons in densely populated areas is unconscionable.

Displaced Palestinians had moved to this area in Khan Younis in search for shelter and safety after being repeatedly instructed to do so by the Israeli authorities — but there is no safe place in Gaza.

Today’s attack comes as humanitarian workers yesterday faced one of the most horrific assaults on their ability to deliver life-saving vaccines. Twelve UN staff members, whose movement was fully coordinated with Israeli forces and whose details were shared in advance, were stopped at a checkpoint on their way to northern Gaza to support the polio vaccination campaign. Israeli forces fired live-shots and the UN convoy was compacted by a military tank and a bulldozer with our staff inside. The convoy was held at this checkpoint for seven and a half hours and ultimately unable to fulfil its humanitarian mission. The Secretary-General strongly condemns this incident.

The Secretary-General once again recalls that international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack, must be complied with at all times by all parties to the conflict. He also calls for the protection of civilians, including aid workers, as well as the facilitation of humanitarian access.

The Secretary-General reiterates once again his calls to reach an immediate deal on a ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

X. UNRWA Commissioner-General appeals for support to the Arab League

Below are excerpts from the statement by Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), delivered at the 162^nd Session of the League of Arab States Council at the Ministerial Level on 10 September.

/…

I would like to conclude with three appeals.

First, I reiterate my call to Arab States to maintain their solidarity with UNRWA and provide the necessary financial and political support to the Agency. Such solidarity is reflected in the Statement of Shared Commitments on UNRWA, an initiative spearheaded by Kuwait, Jordan and Slovenia, and signed by 123 Member States, including most Arab League States.

Second, I urge you to safeguard UNRWA’s role now and in the context of a political transition. A ceasefire in Gaza is imperative. The Agency has a critical role to play during the inevitably long and painful transition that will follow. The Agency’s most striking advantage is in education and primary healthcare. In the absence of a full-fledged state, only UNRWA can fulfil the learning and healthcare needs of Palestine Refugees.

Finally, the attempts to shut down and marginalize UNRWA must be rejected in the strongest political terms. I appeal for your support in countering efforts to dismantle the Agency, to malign its reputation, and to end its operations in the occupied Palestinian territory. These efforts are a threat not only to Palestine Refugees, but to the United Nations system, the multilateral order, and the prospects for a political solution.

Today, Palestinians face a more uncertain future than ever before. We cannot fail in our collective endeavour to ensure a just and peaceful resolution of their plight.

XI. UN experts urge Israel to stop attacks and harassment against journalists in occupied West Bank

On 12 September, Irene Khan, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression and Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, issued the following press release.

UN experts today condemned incidents of violence, harassment, intimidation and obstruction of journalists in the occupied West Bank, which have recently escalated under Israel’s sudden military offensive launched on 27 August.

“We strongly denounce the attacks and harassment of journalists in the illegally occupied West Bank, which are nothing but crude attempts by the Israeli army to block independent reporting on potential war crimes,” the experts said.

There have been at least three incidents in September, in Jenin and Tulkarm, where Israeli security forces fired live ammunition at journalists or their vehicles, while they were reporting on military operations and civilian casualties. At least 4 journalists were injured as a result, even though several of them wore clearly marked press jackets.

Since 27 August, journalists, including a team from Al Jazeera, have been impeded from doing their work and forced to leave under threat from the Israeli military. In one case, the military searched their personal phones and forced them to delete material. At least one journalist has been arbitrarily arrested and interrogated, while numerous others reported being chased by bulldozers operated by Israeli security forces.

“It is deeply disturbing to see Israeli soldiers in the West Bank replicating the same disdain for the safety of journalists as in Gaza in blatant violation of international law. Foreign media continue to be denied access to Gaza and now their safety in the West Bank is also being seriously threatened, gravely hindering their journalistic work,” the experts said.

Since October 2023, at least 29 journalists have been detained by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, and three by the Palestinian Authority. Several of them continue to be under administrative detention. Cases of journalists, including women journalists, subjected to ill-treatment while in Israeli detention, including sexual and gender-based violence, have been well documented.

“Detention of journalists, along with reports of torture and ill-treatment and violation of due process in the context of an occupation that the International Court of Justice just declared unlawful, raise serious concerns regarding the punitive nature of such deprivation of liberty, and the right of journalists to tell the world about the assault on the Palestinian people’s self-determination, continued dispossession, forced displacement and oppression,” the experts said.

They were concerned that not a single case of a journalist killed, injured or harassed in the occupied Palestinian Territory has ever been transparently investigated or the suspected perpetrators brought to justice by Israeli authorities. Even the emblematic killing of Shireen Abu Akhleh in 2022 remains unresolved despite clear evidence of Israeli forces’ culpability.

“As long as Israel remains an occupying power, it is obliged to respect the work of journalists and media workers in the occupied Palestinian Territory, and to ensure their safety, in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law,” the experts said.

As recalled by the International Court of Justice, Israel’s excessive use of force against Palestinians contributes to the illegal nature of its occupation and is inconsistent with its obligations under the Hague Regulations, the Fourth Geneva Convention, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

“Both the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court are encouraged to consider the widespread and systematic attack on journalists and media workers as part of their ongoing investigations,” the experts said.

“The genocide in Gaza has overshadowed the distress of journalists in the West Bank, but this recent escalation makes it imperative that the international community pay more heed to what is happening in the West Bank and strongly denounce Israel’s actions.”

The experts are in contact with the Government of Israel on this issue.

XII. UNCTAD report warns of severe economic crisis, collapsing GDP, soaring unemployment amid Gaza conflict

On 12 September, the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) issued the following press release.

Economic collapse: Gaza’s GDP has plunged by 81%, leaving its economy in ruins.
Surging poverty and unemployment: Massive job losses have worsened poverty and humanitarian crises.
West Bank disruption: Violence and trade restrictions have severely crippled the West Bank’s economy.
Fiscal strain: Revenue cuts and reduced aid are crippling the Palestinian government’s ability to function.
Call for action: The report urges immediate international intervention to stabilize the economy and support peace efforts.

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has released a comprehensive report detailing the profound economic destruction that has gripped the Occupied Palestinian Territory in the aftermath of the Israeli military operation in Gaza that followed the 7 October 2023 attacks by Hamas.

The report highlights the staggering scale of economic devastation and unprecedented decline in economic activity, far surpassing the impact of all previous military confrontations in 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2021. Inflationary pressures combined with soaring unemployment and collapsing incomes, have severely impoverished Palestinian households.

War destruction extends to the West Bank and East Jerusalem

The military operation led to unprecedented loss of life, displacement, and widespread destruction of infrastructure. Meanwhile, the West Bank experienced a surge in violence, demolition of Palestinian assets, confiscations, and settlement expansions. The combined impact of the military operation in Gaza and its repercussions in the West Bank delivered an unparalleled shock that overwhelmed the Palestinian economy across the occupied Territory, including East Jerusalem.

By early 2024, between 80% to 96% of Gaza’s agricultural assets -including irrigation systems, livestock farms, orchards, machinery, and storage facilities – had been decimated, crippling the region’s food production capacity and worsening already high levels of food insecurity. The destruction also hit the private sector hard, with 82% of businesses, a key driver of Gaza’s economy, damaged or destroyed. The damage to the productive base has continued to worsen as the military operation persists.

Gaza’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) plummeted by 81% in the last quarter of 2023, leading to a 22% contraction for the entire year. By mid-2024 Gaza’s economy had shrunk to less than one-sixth of its 2022 level.

Meanwhile, the West Bank has been undergoing a rapid and alarming economic decline. The report highlights factors such as settlement expansion, land confiscations, demolition of Palestinian structures, and increased settler violence throughout 2023 -2024 to have displaced communities and severely impacted economic activities. These disruptions have affected various sectors across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where commerce, tourism and transportation have suffered a considerable downturn. As a result, 80% of businesses in the East Jerusalem Old City have either partially or completely ceased operations.

The initial optimism of a 4% GDP growth in the West Bank during the first three quarters of 2023 was abruptly reversed by an unprecedented 19% contraction in the fourth quarter. This sharp downturn resulted in an overall annual GDP decline of 1.9%. Additionally, per capita GDP decreased by 4.5%, indicating a substantial drop in living standards and household incomes.

Mass unemployment and growing poverty

Labor market conditions in the West Bank have deteriorated significantly, with 96% of businesses reporting decreased activity and 42.1% reducing their workforce. A total of 306,000 jobs have been lost, pushing West Bank’s unemployment rates from 12.9% before the conflict to 32%. These job losses have resulted in an estimated daily labour income loss of $25.5 million, severely eroding the economic resilience of Palestinian households and exacerbating social hardships.

The situation in Gaza is particularly dire, with two-thirds of pre-war jobs—approximately 201,000 positions—lost by January 2024. This has further worsened the already critical economic and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

In the West Bank, trade activities have been severely disrupted due to increased restrictions on the movement of people and goods. The number of checkpoints across the occupied West Bank rose from 567 in early October 2023 to 700 by February 2024, significantly hindering economic activity.

Poverty has been widespread and growing in recent years. By 2022, one-third of the Palestinian population (1.84 million people) was food insecure (lacking consistent access to sufficient and nutritious food), or severely food insecure, and 31.1 per cent lived in poverty. Before October 2023, 80% of Gaza’s population depended on international assistance. Currently, poverty affects nearly the entire population of Gaza and is rising rapidly in the West Bank.

Deductions and revenue withholding undermine the Palestinian Authority

The Palestinian government’s fiscal stability is under immense pressure, jeopardizing its ability to function effectively and provide essential services. Despite efforts at fiscal reform, the government’s fiscal capacity has been eroded by slow GDP growth, revenue deductions by Israel, and a sharp decline in international aid. In 2023, international donor support fell to its lowest level at $358 million equivalent to just 2% of GDP, down from $2 billion, or 27% of GDP in 2008.

Since October 2023, revenue deductions and withholdings by Israel have escalated totalling over $1.4 billion between 2019 and April 2024. This amount represents 8.1% of Palestine’s GDP in 2023, leading to significant budgetary shortfalls. These fiscal challenges have hampered the government’s ability to pay employees, service debts, and maintain critical public services such as healthcare and education. The situation has also led to growing debt, delayed payments to private suppliers, and reduced social transfers to the poor. Public employees have only been paid partial salaries since November 2021.

A path forward

The performance of the Palestinian economy has been heavily influenced by external factors, particularly measures taken by Israel and, to a lesser extent, by fluctuations in aid flows. UNCTAD stresses that prolonged occupation remains the main obstacle to sustainable economic development. Persistent restrictions on investment, labour mobility and trade have systematically undermined economic potential, exacerbating poverty and instability.

The report echoes the UN Secretary-General’s call for urgent measures to support and strengthen Palestinian institutions, highlighting the need to enhance peacebuilding efforts. Prolonged occupation is a primary economic obstacle to sustainable development due to ongoing restrictions on investment, labour mobility, and trade.

The report offers a comprehensive analysis of the severe economic challenges facing the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It calls for immediate and substantial intervention by the international community to halt the economic freefall, address the humanitarian crisis, and lay the groundwork for lasting peace and development. This includes considering a comprehensive recovery plan for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, increased international aid and support, release of withheld revenues and lifting the blockade on Gaza.

XIII. UN Secretary-General condemns deadly strike on school housing IDPs in Gaza, calls for a ceasefire

The following is a statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General issued on 12 September.

The Secretary-General condemns the death of at least 18 people, including children, women, and six UNRWA staff, in Israeli airstrikes that hit a school serving as a shelter in Nuseirat on 11 September. This incident raises the number of UNRWA staff killed in this conflict to 220. The IDF stated that they had targeted a command-and-control centre in the compound. This incident must be independently and thoroughly investigated to ensure accountability.

The continued lack of effective protection for civilians in Gaza is unconscionable. Civilians and the infrastructure they rely on must be protected and the essential needs of civilians met. The Secretary-General calls upon all parties to refrain from using schools, shelters, or the areas around them for military purposes. All parties to the conflict have the obligation to comply with international humanitarian law at all times.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. This horrific violence must stop.

XIV. Around 560,000 children vaccinated in first round of polio campaign in Gaza – WHO

On 13 September, the World Health Organization issued the following press release.

Around 560,000 children under ten years old were vaccinated against polio during the first round of an emergency vaccination campaign conducted in three phases from 1-12 September 2024 in the Gaza Strip.

The 12-day campaign provided novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) to 558 963 children, following meticulous planning and coordination. This involved the use of an extensive network of teams, vaccinating at selected fixed sites at health facilities and outreach posts. Mobile and transit teams actively reached out to families living in shelter homes, tents, and camps for the displaced, alongside community workers engaging families to raise awareness ahead of and during the campaign. For each phase, an area-specific humanitarian pause of nine hours daily was agreed to ensure the safety of communities and health workers, and enable vaccination efforts.

“Health and community workers have shown incredible resilience, carrying out this campaign at unprecedented scale and speed under the toughest conditions in Gaza. Swift action by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative—from the moment the virus was detected to the launch of the vaccination campaign—speaks to the effectiveness of the polio programme. In areas where humanitarian pauses took place, the campaign brought not just vaccines, but moments of calm. As we prepare for the next round in four weeks, we’re hopeful these pauses will hold, because this campaign has clearly shown the world what’s possible when peace is given a chance,” said Dr Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).

“It was critical this ambitious campaign was carried out quickly, safely and effectively to protect children in the Gaza Strip and neighbouring countries from the life-altering poliovirus,” said Jean Gough, UNICEF Special Representative in the State of Palestine. “The progress made in this first round is encouraging, but the job is far from done. We are poised to finish the task and call on all involved to ensure we can do so in the next round in four weeks’ time, for the sake of children everywhere.”

Partners at all levels recognize common operational challenges faced during these efforts, including devastated infrastructure, from health facilities to roads, limited trained healthcare workers, access issues due to insecurity, limited fuel for generators used to safely store vaccines and freeze ice packs, and constant population movements. However, these issues were addressed in a timely manner, with the key support of the Palestinian Ministry of Health and UNRWA, to enable planned vaccination activities.

Despite these challenges and the conditions that families in the Gaza Strip have endured over the past 11 months, families flocked to health facilities to get their children vaccinated. This can be attributed to traditionally positive health seeking behaviour among the Palestinian people and an impactful campaign to raise awareness and mobilize the public.

The original target for the campaign was 640 000 children, estimated in the absence of an accurate survey, which may have been an over-estimate, as the population continues to move from place to place, and people are fleeing and being killed due to the ongoing hostilities. During the campaign, trained monitoring teams were deployed to oversee vaccination efforts. As next steps, an additional 65 independent monitors are being deployed to cross-check the proportion of children vaccinated across the Gaza Strip to independently assess the level of coverage achieved in the first round. They need safe, unimpeded access so they can visit households, markets, transit points, and health facilities to check children for the prominent purple dye marked on their little finger when they are vaccinated. These efforts will provide an independent measure of the percentage of vaccination coverage achieved and reasons for any unvaccinated children.

A second round of the campaign will follow, ideally within four weeks, to provide a second dose of nOPV2 to children in Gaza to stop the outbreak and prevent its international spread.

To repeat this ambitious intervention, reach enough children, and successfully stop further transmission of the poliovirus, WHO, UNICEF and UNRWA are calling on all parties to the conflict to commit to another round of humanitarian pauses, with unimpeded access to children in areas that need special coordination.

Ultimately, we need a long-lasting ceasefire as all families in the Gaza Strip need peace so they can begin to heal and rebuild their lives.

XV. Over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, with more than 93,000 injured, says UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza

Following is the briefing by the United Nations Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, to the Security Council on 16 September.

This will be a sober and sombre assessment of the situation on the ground. I remain deeply mindful of the profound responsibility the international community bears in addressing the tragedy of this war.

Nearly a year has passed since the horrific terror attack by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups against Israel on 7 October, which claimed 1,250 Israeli and foreign lives and led to the abduction of around 250 hostages.

At least 101 hostages are reported to be still held in Gaza; they are still denied humanitarian visits. All hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. For as long as they are held in accordance with international legal obligations, they must be treated humanely and allowed to receive visits and assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The essence of our common humanity is at stake. In Gaza, more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, and over 93,000 have been injured.

Recent data from the World Health Organization estimate that more than 22,000 people have sustained life-altering injuries. Severe limb injuries between 13 to 17,000, often resulting in amputation. These are a sad reflection of the tragedy of this war. Many of those injured have more than one injury. The health infrastructure, already crippled, has been further decimated.

At least 625,000 children remain out of school – children whose futures are marred by trauma, loss, and deprivation. Every parent hopes for a better, more prosperous future for their children. In Gaza, this universal parental desire is dimmed by the grim realities of destruction and hopelessness.

Time is slipping away as a man-made humanitarian crisis has turned Gaza into the abyss. It cannot be repeated enough: we need an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and unimpeded, continuous humanitarian access to deliver aid at scale throughout the Gaza Strip.

The continued lack of effective protection for civilians in Gaza is unconscionable. The infrastructures that civilians rely on must be protected and their essential needs met. As the Secretary-General has reiterated, all parties must refrain from using schools, shelters, or the areas around these for military purposes. All parties to the conflict must comply with international humanitarian law at all times.

Equally, humanitarian workers need an enabling environment to ensure unimpeded and safe access to people in need. Tragically, in Gaza, nowhere is safe.

Diseases, like the polio virus had been consigned to history in the Gaza Strip, They’ve now reappeared due to the collapse of essential services.

Following the detection of the virus, the Israeli authorities immediately engaged with my team. Following intensive coordination, the first round of a two-round vaccination campaign led by WHO, UNRWA and UNICEF has successfully been completed. The second phase of the vaccination campaign should commence in approximately four weeks.

I visited Gaza, as I regularly do, a week and a half ago. Agreed pauses in fighting allowed parents and children to safely visit health centres and clinics, providing them with a very brief glimpse of relief and respite.

The polio campaign shows that, even in the direst of circumstances, with sufficient political will, and real time political commitment, humanitarian action is possible. The polio campaign equally underscored the vital role UNRWA plays, not only in accordance with its mandate but also as a critical, trusted partner in the social fabric of Gaza and as the backbone of our humanitarian operations. The outbreak of polio is also a stark reminder of the desolate conditions of life in the Gaza Strip.

Given the ongoing hostilities, the lack of a proper enabling environment, effective deconfliction, and timely implementation of commitments made, the UN and partners remain constrained in their ability to address this catastrophic situation.

Taking one step back. Eleven months ago, Gaza was largely cut off from most of its supply lines, with all but one access point closed.

When Security Council Resolution 2720 was adopted in December last year, it was not foreseen that the war would rage on for this long without a ceasefire.

In this context, and despite the complexity of the situation, my mission has negotiated and strengthened supply lines and systems as well as additional routes with the intent to facilitate, accelerate and expedite in a sustained and transparent manner the flow of supplies into Gaza. These routes cover supplies from or via Egypt, Jordan, Cyprus, the West Bank and Israel. This required streamlining of intricate logistics and relevant regulations.

The Executive Director of UNOPS, Under Secretary-General Jorge Moreira da Silva, will update you on the operationalization of the Mechanism.

Systems in place today are not a substitute for the political will required to reach civilians and respond to their needs. Systems do not save lives nor provide dignity for those who have lost all.

Effective humanitarian operations require the right quality, quantity, and a broad range of goods to meet the daily needs of civilians in Gaza. That goal is not being met.

Ongoing hostilities across the Strip, the breakdown of law and order and looting of supplies are additional significant impediments to the UN’s ability to distribute assistance to the Palestinian population in Gaza.

Furthermore, the operating conditions for humanitarian workers include denials, delays, a lack of safety and security and poor logistical infrastructure. This continues to hamper relief operations despite recent approvals provided for trucks, satellite phones and other equipment.

My mission continues to engage on these vital issues with a view to seek immediate redress. Commitments and intentions need to be translated into tangible actions on the ground. Any delay in implementation comes at direct cost of human lives. This Council is fully aware of the asks of the humanitarian community. I will highlight a few critical areas:

My mission continues to focus on securing access to Gaza for a diverse range of goods from the humanitarian as well as commercial sector. Modest progress in select areas, such as waste and sewage management, has been made. However, this does not address the totality of needs. For example, the need for cash, prepositioned adequate volume in fuel and hygiene items are urgently needed. The scope of humanitarian items allowed entry remains too restricted for effective humanitarian operations. Furthermore, the United Nations itself also urgently needs the entry of further vital security communications and tracking equipment in order to work in Gaza.

With regard to coordination and deconfliction, a Joint Coordination Board is operational. Recent security incidents, including shootings at humanitarian convoys, are unacceptable and demonstrate that agreed protocols and procedures still need comprehensive on time implementation.

The recent medical evacuation of 251 patients and family members, in this case, to the United Arab Emirates – the largest so far – is a good development, however, much more is needed. Over 14,000 patients require specialized treatment outside of the Gaza Strip. And I would like to use this opportunity to call on all Member States to extend their solidarity by hosting these patients and their families.

Progress on the above becomes even more important as winter nears, and the humanitarian catastrophe deepens. The UN team on the ground continues to coordinate with the Israeli authorities to ensure the implementation of a winterization plan.

Humanitarian assistance is only a temporary pathway to alleviate suffering.

A comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the Middle East can only be realized through a two-State solution and the achievement of an independent, democratic, contiguous, viable, and sovereign Palestinian State, living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders with Israel, whose legitimate security concerns must be addressed.

In this light, the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza should not wait and you’ve heard me say this before. As much as political conditions will dictate the pace and nature of this process, children need to learn, they need to be in school, healthcare needs to be provided to all, housing, refurnishing, rebuilding, it needs to start.

It is important that governance and security arrangements are established without further delay.

And the UN’s position is clear. The Palestinian Authority must resume its full responsibilities in Gaza. And Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa’s cabinet has developed comprehensive plans to restore local governance, security and re-establish the rule of law.

International planning efforts of the UN, the EU, the World Bank and others are ongoing in support of the Palestinian Authority. And my Mission has further developed financing options for the international community to consider.

Rebuilding Gaza offers an opportunity to involve all members of Palestinian civil society.

Fostering a conducive environment that enables the Palestinian business community to play its role is equally important. Palestinian businessmen and women, investors have the drive, the knowledge and the commitment to contribute in a meaningful way.

Over the past ten months, my Mission has fostered partnerships, it has enhanced coordination amongst Member States, UN agencies and the many humanitarian partners.

The 2720 team has continuously engaged on issues of access, addressed obstacles, and proposed solutions to enable assistance by all humanitarian partners, including, and it goes without saying, UNRWA.

My Mission has proposed solutions to overcome political and operational impediments, maintaining a lean, agile, and efficient operations through a hybrid model with UNOPS and seconded experts from certain agencies. Routes have been established and systems are in place. And proposals have been made to the parties concerning options for the re-opening of the Rafah Border Crossing. This is just one of the many examples.

But despite these continuous efforts, the only credible measure of change and progress are the actual conditions on the ground in Gaza. And the horrors of the past 11 months have made it painfully clear that a political solution is the only sustainable path forward. Without a political solution, the cycle of suffering will continue.

And in the face of the tragedy that befell innocent civilians, our shared humanity demands we respond with compassion and humility. We have a responsibility to provide protection and aid remaining steadfast in our duty to advocate for a lasting peace—a secure Israel and a fully independent, viable, and sovereign Palestinian state.

XVI. UN human rights expert on torture calls for immediate release of Israeli hostages after meeting with former hostages and families

On 17 September, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Jill Edwards, issued the following press release.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Jill Edwards, today urged the release of all hostages in Gaza unconditionally and without delay.

Edwards also deplored the recent killing of six Israeli hostages and called for an immediate end to hostilities on all fronts of this war.

“The taking and holding of hostages are internationally unlawful acts and are also forms of torture and inhuman treatment,” Edwards said. “People must never be used as bargaining chips or leverage for political ends.

“The suffering caused by the uncertainty for families about the fate of their loved ones still trapped in Gaza is also prohibited torture and cruel treatment, as recognised by international courts.”

The expert was briefed in Geneva on Monday last week on the conditions that released hostages endured as well as their long road to recovery. She met with mother and daughter former hostages Chen and Agam (17 years old) Almog-Goldstein, who were held for 51 days in Gaza including in tunnels, along with Chen’s young sons aged 11 and nine years old. They were released in the first Gaza deal. They were abducted from their home in the morning of 7 October after Chen’s husband and oldest daughter were killed by militants of Hamas or other armed groups. She also met with Ayelet Levy Schachar, mother of the hostage Naama Levy (taken at age 19 years old and who turned 20 years old in Gaza), who remains unaccounted for.

Ninety-seven hostages are still missing after being abducted by Hamas and other armed groups on 7 October last year. Reportedly, 35 of those have perished.

“As time passes by, the threats to the life and well-being of the hostages intensifies, and the urgency of action to ensure their release and put an end to the war grows. I am extremely concerned at allegations of sexual harm reportedly inflicted on some female hostages,” Edwards said.

“I believe only if we are able to have empathy for all those affected by this terrible armed conflict will peace ever be achieved. Human rights apply to everyone without distinction of any kind.”

The Special Rapporteur has been engaged on several aspects of the conflict. She has previously written to the Palestinian Authority and Hamas regarding the hostages. She has also communicated allegations of Israeli torture and mistreatment of detained Palestinians and repeats her calls for the humane and dignified treatment and swift release of all Palestinians arbitrarily detained. She has held several follow-up meetings with the Permanent Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations in Geneva and with Israeli authorities.

“This is a devastating and deeply painful conflict, in which tens of thousands of lives have been lost. The perpetration of international crimes of all kinds and by all perpetrators must be investigated fully, independently and impartially, and those accountable subjected to the highest penalties,” Edwards said.

“All UN Member States must strive to end the torment of Palestinians and Israelis alike without any further delay.”

The Special Rapporteur reminds all parties of their obligations to comply fully with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

The expert remains fully engaged with addressing allegations of torture and/or ill-treatment in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Israel and beyond.

XVII. OHCHR urges Israel to stop forcible transfer of Palestinian herding communities and annexation of parts of the West Bank

On 17 September, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory issued the following press release.

The UN Human Rights Office condemns ongoing settler attacks and harassment of the community of Al Muarrajat, one of the last two remaining Bedouin communities between Ramallah and Jericho, perpetrated with the apparent complicity of Israeli Security Forces (ISF) and calls on Israel to take urgent steps to prevent their displacement.

On 16 September in the morning, around 15 Israeli settlers attacked the mixed primary school of the Arab Al-Mulaihat in Al-Mu’arajat area and nearby homes for four hours. They assaulted teachers, pupils, and activists present in the village as protective presence with sticks and iron bars.

Nine Palestinians were injured during the attack, including three Palestinian women who sustained hairline fractures, four women teachers and a foreign activist. ISF arrived at the scene and, instead of stopping the attack, arrested the school principal and another community member allegedly for injuring one of the attackers.

These assaults are taking place within a concerted attack on the community, calculated to force them to leave their land and homes. Settlers had reportedly poisoned about 130 heads of livestock belonging to Palestinian herders on 12 September, and ISF reportedly arrested three activists providing a protective presence on 15 September, following months of nearly daily settler harassment and intimidation of members of the community, with settlers demanding that they leave.

The attack on Al Muarrrajat community follows the recent forcible displacement of other tens of long-standing Bedouin communities from the Jordan Valley. In one example, the Um al Jamal community in the northern Jordan Valley came under incessant settler attack and harassment, and this week, the last remaining family fled. The community now stands empty of Palestinians. The forcible displacement of the remaining communities would further “open” large swathes of land for the development of Israeli outposts and settlements, consolidating Israel’s unlawful annexation of large parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and denying the Palestinians their right to self- determination.

Meanwhile, the Khirbet Zanuta community in the south Hebron hills, which was displaced following sustained settler violence, won a court order to allow them to return to their land and homes after fleeing settler violence. However, the community is being prevented from returning as Israeli authorities apply discriminatory planning laws to prohibit them from rebuilding their homes destroyed meanwhile by settlers and demand their transfer to a remote area adjacent to Areas A and B, demonstrating the collusion between settler violence and the state is displacing Palestinian communities.

More than 1600 Palestinians from herding and farming communities have been forced to leave their homes since 7 October following unrelenting settler violence and systematic restrictions on access to water, grazing land and basic needs, with the collusion of Israeli authorities.

XVIII. General Assembly overwhelmingly demands that Israel end its unlawful presence in Occupied Palestinian Territory within 1 year

Below is thetext resolution A/RES/ES-10/24 adopted by the 10th Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly that took place on 18 September.

ES-10/24. Advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and from the illegality of Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

The General Assembly,

Guided by the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including the inalienable right of self-determination of peoples and the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force,

Recalling all its relevant resolutions, including those adopted at its tenth emergency special session,

Recalling also all the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, including resolution 2334 (2016) of 23 December 2016,

Stressing the obligation of all Member States to fulfil in good faith the obligations assumed by them in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, including to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council,

Recalling its resolution 77/247 of 30 December 2022, by which it decided, in accordance with Article 96 of the Charter of the United Nations, to request the International Court of Justice, pursuant to Article 65 of the Statute of the Court, to render an advisory opinion on the following questions:

(a) What are the legal consequences arising from the ongoing violation by Israel of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, from its prolonged occupation, settlement and annexation of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and from its adoption of related discriminatory legislation and measures?

(b) How do the policies and practices of Israel referred to above affect the legal status of the occupation, and what are the legal consequences that arise for all States and the United Nations from this status?

Having received the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, rendered on 19 July 2024, in which the Court determined, inter alia, that:

(a) Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful,

(b) Israel is under an obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible,

(c) Israel is under an obligation to cease immediately all new settlement activities, and to evacuate all settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory,

(d) Israel has the obligation to make reparation for the damage caused to all the natural or legal persons concerned in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,

(e) All States are under an obligation not to recognize as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by the continued presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,

(f) International organizations, including the United Nations, are under an obligation not to recognize as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,

(g) The United Nations, and especially the General Assembly, which requested this opinion, and the Security Council, should consider the precise modalities and further action required to bring to an end as rapidly as possible the unlawful presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,

Affirming in accordance with the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, that:

(a) The Israeli settlements, and their associated regime, including the transfer by Israel of settlers to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as Israel’s maintenance of their presence, the confiscation or requisitioning of land, the exploitation of natural resources, the extension of Israeli law to occupied territory, the forced displacement of the Palestinian population, and violence by settlers and occupying forces against Palestinians, have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law,

(b) Israel’s policies and practices, including the maintenance and expansion of settlements, the construction of associated infrastructure, including the wall, the exploitation of natural resources, the proclamation of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the comprehensive application of Israeli domestic law in East Jerusalem and its extensive application in the West Bank, entrench Israel’s control of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, notably of East Jerusalem and of parts of the West Bank, and are designed to remain in place indefinitely and to create irreversible effects on the ground, and amount to annexation of large parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory,

(c) To seek to acquire sovereignty over an occupied territory, as shown by the policies and practices adopted by Israel, is contrary to the prohibition of the use of force in international relations and its corollary principle of the non-acquisition of territory by force and constitutes a violation of the obligation to respect territorial integrity and sovereignty under the Charter of the United Nations and international law,

(d) A broad array of legislation adopted and measures taken by Israel in its capacity as an occupying Power treat Palestinians differently on grounds prohibited by international law, and that, accordingly, the regime of comprehensive restrictions imposed by Israel on Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Israel’s residence permit regime in East Jerusalem, its policies restricting freedom of movement for Palestinians, its planning policy and its practice of demolition of Palestinian properties, amounts to prohibited discrimination and constitutes systemic discrimination based on, inter alia, race, religion or ethnic origin in violation of the relevant rules of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and customary international law,

(e) Israel’s legislation and measures impose and serve to maintain a near-complete separation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, between the settler and Palestinian communities and constitute a breach of article 3 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which refers to two particularly severe forms of racial discrimination and stipulates that “States Parties particularly condemn racial segregation and apartheid and undertake to prevent, prohibit and eradicate all practices of this nature in territories under their jurisdiction”,

(f) The Palestinian people is entitled to self-determination in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, a right that constitutes a peremptory norm of international law in such a situation of foreign occupation, and that Israel, as the occupying Power, has the obligation not to impede the Palestinian people from exercising its right to self-determination, including its right to an independent and sovereign State, over the entirety of the Occupied Palestinian Territory,

(g) Israel’s policies and practices, which span decades, including its settlements and their associated regime, its annexation, its legislation and measures that discriminate against Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and the forced displacement of Palestinians and strict restrictions on their movement, have violated the integrity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, undermined the integrity of the Palestinian people and the protection against acts aimed at dispersing it, deprived the Palestinian people of its enjoyment of the natural resources in the Occupied Palestinian Territory in breach of its permanent sovereignty over its natural resources, and have obstructed the right of the Palestinian people freely to determine its political status and to pursue its economic, social and cultural development, and that these policies and practices constitute a prolonged breach of the Palestinian people’s fundamental right to self-determination,

(h) The existence of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, in view of its character as an inalienable right, cannot be subject to conditions on the part of the occupying Power,

(i) Israel is not entitled to sovereignty over or to exercise sovereign powers in any part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory on account of its occupation, nor can Israel’s security concerns override the principle of the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force,

(j) The violations by Israel of the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force and of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination have a direct impact on the legality of the continued presence of Israel, as an occupying Power, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and that the sustained abuse by Israel of its position as an occupying Power, through annexation and an assertion of permanent control over the Occupied Palestinian Territory and continued frustration of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, violates fundamental principles of international law and renders Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory unlawful, and that this illegality relates to the entirety of the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel in 1967,

(k) Israel has an obligation to bring an end to its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible, as it constitutes a wrongful act of continuing character entailing its international responsibility which has been brought about by Israel’s violations, through its policies and practices, of the prohibition on the acquisition of territory by force and of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people,

Reaffirming the need for universal adherence to and implementation of the rule of law at both the national and international levels and its solemn commitment to an international order based on the rule of law and international law, which, together with the principles of justice, is essential for peaceful coexistence and cooperation among States,

Considering that respect for the International Court of Justice and its functions, including in the exercise of its advisory jurisdiction, is essential to international law and justice and to an international order based on the rule of law,

Recalling the permanent responsibility of the United Nations with regard to the question of Palestine until it is resolved in all its aspects in accordance with international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions,

Reaffirming its commitment to the realization of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including its right to an independent and sovereign State, living side by side in peace and security with Israel, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly,

Convinced that achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement of the question of Palestine, the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict, in accordance with international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions, is imperative for the attainment of comprehensive and lasting peace and stability in the Middle East, and reaffirming the right of all States in the region to live in peace within secure and internationally recognized borders,

Stressing the urgency of achieving without delay an end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967,

Reaffirming its commitment for respect for, and the preservation of, the territorial integrity and unity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,

Reaffirming the illegality of Israeli settlements and their associated regime, as well as all other measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the City of Jerusalem and of the Occupied Palestinian Territory as a whole, and rejecting in this regard any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip, including any actions that reduce the territory of the Gaza Strip, which constitutes an integral part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory,

Stressing that, as indicated by the International Court of Justice, the obligations violated by Israel include certain obligations of an erga omnes character that are, by their very nature, “the concern of all States” and, in view of the importance of the rights involved, all States can be held to have a legal interest in their protection, among them the obligation to respect the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the obligation arising from the prohibition of the use of force to acquire territory as well as certain of its obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law,

Emphasizing the imperative of ensuring accountability for all violations of international law in order to end impunity, ensure justice, deter future violations, protect civilians and promote peace,

Welcomesthe advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice of 19 July 2024 on the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and from the illegality of Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory;
Demandsthat Israel brings to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which constitutes a wrongful act of a continuing character entailing its international responsibility, and do so no later than 12 months from the adoption of the present resolution;
Demandsthat Israel comply without delay with all its legal obligations under international law, including as stipulated by the International Court of Justice, by, inter alia:

(a) Withdrawing all its military forces from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including its airspace and maritime space;

(b) Putting an end to its unlawful policies and practices, including ceasing immediately all new settlement activity, evacuating all settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory and dismantling the parts of the wall constructed by Israel that are situated in the Territory, and repealing all legislation and measures creating or maintaining the unlawful situation, including those which discriminate against the Palestinian people, as well as all measures aimed at modifying the demographic composition, character and status of any parts of the Territory, including all measures violating the historic status quo at the holy sites of Jerusalem;

(c) Returning the land and other immovable property, as well as all assets seized from any natural or legal person since its occupation started in 1967, and all cultural property and assets taken from Palestinians and Palestinian institutions;

(d) Allowing all Palestinians displaced during the occupation to return to their original place of residence;

(e) Making reparation for the damage caused to all the natural and legal persons concerned in the Occupied Palestinian Territory;

(f) Immediately complying with obligations under international law indicated in the respective provisional measures orders of the International Court of Justice in the case concerning the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (South Africa v. Israel) in relation to the right of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip to be protected from all acts within the scope of articles II and III of the Convention;

(g) Not impeding the Palestinian people from exercising its right to self-determination, including its right to an independent and sovereign State, over the entirety of the Occupied Palestinian Territory;

Calls upon all States to comply with their obligations under international law, inter alia, as reflected in the advisory opinion, including their obligation:

(a) To promote, through joint and separate action, the realization of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, the respect of which is an obligation erga omnes, and refrain from any action which deprives the Palestinian people of this right and, while respecting the Charter of the United Nations and international law, to ensure that any impediment resulting from the illegal presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to the exercise by the Palestinian people of its right to self-determination is brought to an end;

(b) Not to recognize as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory;

(d) Not to recognize any changes in the physical character or demographic composition, institutional structure or status of the territory occupied by Israel on 5 June 1967, including East Jerusalem, except as agreed by the parties through negotiations, as affirmed by the Security Council in its resolution 2334 (2016), and the obligation in this regard, in relation to, inter alia, their diplomatic, political, legal, military, economic, commercial and financial dealings with Israel, to distinguish between Israel and the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including by:

(i) Abstaining from treaty relations with Israel in all cases in which it purports to act on behalf of the Occupied Palestinian Territory or a part thereof on matters concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory or a part of its territory;

(ii) Abstaining from entering into economic or trade dealings with Israel concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory or parts thereof which may entrench its unlawful presence in the Territory, including with regard to the settlements and their associated regime;

(iii) Abstaining, in the establishment and maintenance of diplomatic missions in Israel, from any recognition of its illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including by refraining from the establishment of diplomatic missions in Jerusalem, pursuant to Security Council resolution 478 (1980) of 20 August 1980;

(iv) Taking steps to prevent trade or investment relations that assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including with regard to the settlements and their associated regime;

(e) To ensure, as States parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, compliance with international humanitarian law as embodied in that Convention, in particular pursuant to their obligations under articles 146, 147 and 148 regarding penal sanctions and grave breaches, while respecting the Charter of the United Nations and international law and underscoring the urgency of undertaking measures to enforce the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem;

(f) To undertake efforts towards bringing to an end systemic discrimination based on, inter alia, race, religion or ethnic origin, including to prevent, prohibit and eradicate the violations by Israel of article 3 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination identified in the advisory opinion;

Also calls uponall States in this regard, consistent with their obligations under international law:

(a) To take steps to ensure that their nationals, and companies and entities under their jurisdiction, as well as their authorities, do not act in any way that would entail recognition or provide aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory;

(b) To take steps towards ceasing the importation of any products originating in the Israeli settlements, as well as the provision or transfer of arms, munitions and related equipment to Israel, the occupying Power, in all cases where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that they may be used in the Occupied Palestinian Territory;

(c) To implement sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, against natural and legal persons engaged in the maintenance of Israel’s unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in relation to settler violence;

(d) To support accountability efforts for all victims;

Calls uponinternational organizations, including the United Nations, and regional organizations not to recognize as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory and not to recognize, or cooperate with or assist in any manner in, any measures undertaken by Israel to exploit the natural resources of the Occupied Palestinian Territory or to effect any changes in the demographic composition or geographic character or institutional structure of the Territory;
Calls uponthe United Nations, and its bodies and organs, to respect and act in a manner consistent with the determinations made by the International Court of Justice, including in relation to all relevant maps, statements and reports, as well as in their respective programmes and actions;
Strongly deploresthe continued and total disregard and breaches by the Government of Israel of its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions, and stresses that such breaches seriously threaten regional and international peace and security;
Recognizesthat Israel must be held to account for any violations of international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including any violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and that it must bear the legal consequences of all its internationally wrongful acts, including by making reparation for the injury, including any damage, caused by such acts;
Recognizes in this regardthe need for the establishment of an international mechanism for reparation for all damage, loss or injury arising from the internationally wrongful acts of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and calls for the creation by Member States, in coordination with the United Nations and its relevant bodies, of an international register of damage to serve as a record, in documentary form, of evidence and claims information on damage, loss or injury to all natural and legal persons concerned, as well as to the Palestinian people, caused by the internationally wrongful acts of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as well as to promote and coordinate evidence-gathering and initiatives aimed at securing such reparation by Israel;
Emphasizesthe need to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes under international law through appropriate, fair and independent investigations and prosecutions at the national or international level, and to ensure justice for all victims and the prevention of future crimes;
Calls forthe convening of a Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war on measures to enforce the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and to ensure respect thereof in accordance with common article 1 of the four Geneva Conventions, and invites in this regard the Government of Switzerland, in its capacity as the depositary of the Geneva Conventions, to convene the Conference within six months of the adoption of the present resolution;
Decidesto convene during the seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly an international conference under the auspices of the Assembly for the implementation of the United Nations resolutions pertaining to the question of Palestine and the two-State solution for the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East;
Requeststhe Secretary-General, in consultation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Member States with relevant experience and expertise, to present proposals, in the report requested in the present resolution, for the establishment of a mechanism to follow up on the violations by Israel of article 3 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination identified by the International Court of Justice in its advisory opinion;
Confirms its determinationto examine further practical ways and means to secure the full respect of the advisory opinion and the full implementation of all relevant United Nations resolutions, notably in case of non-compliance;
Urgesall States, the United Nations and its specialized agencies and organizations, as well as regional organizations, to support and assist the Palestinian people in the early realization of its right to self-determination and to actively pursue steps to ensure full implementation of the advisory opinion and of all relevant United Nations resolutions;
Requeststhe Secretary-General to submit a report to the General Assembly within three months on the implementation of the present resolution, including any actions taken by Israel, other States and international organizations, including the United Nations, for the implementation of its provisions or for any violations thereof;
Reaffirmsthe permanent responsibility of the United Nations with regard to the question of Palestine until it is resolved in all its aspects in accordance with international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions;
Decidesto adjourn the tenth emergency special session temporarily and to authorize the President of the General Assembly at its most recent session to resume its meeting upon request from Member States.

XIX. UN Palestinian Rights Committee Bureau welcomes historic resolution calling for an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine

On 18 September, the Bureau of the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) issued the following press release.

The Bureau of the UN Palestinian Rights Committee warmly welcomes today’s General Assembly adoption of a historic resolution to implement the landmark ICJ Advisory Opinion, requested under resolution A/RES/77/247 of 30 December 2022. Today’s decision by the General Assembly reinforces the international community’s long-standing call for the immediate end of Israel’s unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.

The resolution is a call to action, in accordance with international law and the permanent responsibility of the United Nations vis-à-vis the question of Palestine until it is justly resolved in all its aspects, aimed at bringing an end to this illegal situation and ensuring justice and the realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. It unequivocally reaffirms that “Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful” and calls for “the end of Israel’s occupation within 12 months from the adoption of this resolution”.

By an overwhelming majority vote of 124 to 14 with 43 abstaining, the UN Member States firmly endorsed the determinations made by the ICJ in its Advisory Opinion and demanded that Israel cease all its grave breaches, comply with its international legal obligations, and make reparations for the harm done by its occupation. The international community cannot stand by as Israel continues to flagrantly violate international law and the rights of the Palestinian people; it must act forthwith to uphold the rule of law.

The Committee Bureau urges all Member States and international organizations to uphold their obligations and responsibilities under this resolution, with a view to ensuring accountability and promoting the path towards peace and justice. It also calls on all stakeholders to act decisively in implementing the resolution, at the international and national levels, so that accountability and justice prevail for all affected by this prolonged, illegal occupation, and so that a just, lasting and peaceful solution to this historic injustice can finally be realized.

XX. Thirty-nine UN human rights experts warn that States remain paralyzed in the face of ICJ ruling, urge them to comply

On 18 September, Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967; Balakrishnan Rajagopal, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing; Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; George Katrougalos, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, Nicolas Levrat, Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues; Cecilia M Bailliet, Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association; Tomoya Obokata, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences; Alexandra Xanthaki, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Heba Hagrass, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities; Ashwini K.P. Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, xenophobia and related intolerance; Olivier De Schutter, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights; Pedro Arrojo Agudo, Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation; Paula Gaviria Betancur, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons; Michael Fakhri, Special Rapporteur on the right to food; Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences; Marcos A. Orellana, Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, Richard Bennett, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Barbara G. Reynolds (Chair), Bina D’Costa, Dominique Day, Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent; Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Ms. Fernanda Hopenhaym (Chairperson), Ms. Pichamon Yeophantong, Mr. Damilola Olawuyi, Mr. Robert McCorquodale and Ms. Lyra Jakulevičienė, Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises; Laura Nyirinkindi (Chair), Claudia Flores (Vice-Chair), Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Ivana Krstić, and Haina Lu, Working group on discrimination against women and girls; Geneviève Savigny, chair-rapporteur, Carlos Duarte, Uche Ewelukwa, Shalmali Guttal, Davit Hakobyan, Working Group on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas issued the following joint press release.

Over 50 days since the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered its historic Advisory Opinion, declaring that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory unlawful, UN experts are warning that the edifice of international law stands upon a knife’s edge, with most States failing to take meaningful steps to comply with their international obligations reaffirmed in the ruling. Offering specific action points for States that would ensure compliance with the ICJ Opinion and international law, a group of experts issued the following statement:

“Over 50 days have passed since the International Court of Justice issued a landmark Advisory Opinion. The ICJ declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory, encompassing the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, as unlawful under international law and emphasised that Israel’s actions amount to annexation. The Opinion noted that Israel’s actions include forcible transfer, racial discrimination and segregation or apartheid, and a violation of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people. Particularly alarming is the impact of these violations on generations of Palestinian children, and the disproportionate effects on women, persons with disabilities, and older persons.

The Court has reaffirmed that the realisation of self-determination cannot be left to bilateral negotiations among two unequal and asymmetrical parties – the occupier and the occupied. It called for Israel to immediately cease its illegal settlement activities and withdraw from these areas as swiftly as possible. More importantly, the Court provided unequivocal directions concerning the responsibilities of States and international organisations, with regard to Israel’s unlawful occupation.

Despite these adamant directions, States remain paralysed in the face of the seismic shift represented by the Court’s ruling and appear unwilling or unable to take the necessary steps to meet their obligations.

Devastating attacks on Palestinians across the occupied Palestinian territory show that by continuing to turn a blind eye to the horrific plight of the Palestinian people, the international community is furthering genocidal violence. Gaza remains under siege and intense bombardment, with homes, schools, hospitals and densely populated displacement camps sheltering thousands, routinely attacked. The extent of the resulting environmental destruction and contamination in Gaza are still to be fully assessed. The scale of destruction of Palestinian landscape and urban fabric, including schools and universities, hospitals, the violations of housing, land and property, the pollution and degradation of the environment, and exploitation of natural resources, is extreme in Gaza and spreading across the rest of the occupied territory, prompting allegations of domicide, urbicide, scholasticide, medicide, cultural genocide and, more recently, ecocide. Extreme violence and intimidation against Palestinians in the West Bank, and military assaults against the cities of Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarem Tubas, and in rural areas, where Palestinians practise pastoralism, are all escalating.

States must act now. They must listen to voices calling on them to take action to stop Israel’s attacks against the Palestinians and end its unlawful occupation. All States have a legal obligation to comply with the ICJ’s ruling and must promote adherence to norms that protect civilians. Therefore, States should:

Immediately review all diplomatic, political, and economic interactions with Israel to ensure they do not support or provide aid or assistance to its unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Abstain from recognising or take steps to reverse any recognition of any changes in the physical character or demographic composition, institutional structure or status of the occupied Palestinian territory, including in their treaty relations with Israel, and while acting as members of international organisations.
Take all measures to ensure that the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory can fully exercise and realise their right to self-determination including by recognition of the State of Palestine.
Impose a full arms embargo on Israel, halting all arms agreements, imports, exports and transfers, including of dual-use items that could be used against the Palestinian population under occupation.
Ban goods and services emerging from both the colonisation of occupied Palestinian territory and other unlawful activities that may be detrimental to Palestinians’ rights, from entering their territory and markets, and take measures to label and permit goods and services emerging from Palestinian individuals and entities in occupied territory.
Cancel or suspend economic relationships, trade agreements and academic relations with Israel that may contribute to its unlawful presence and apartheid regime in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Impose sanctions, including asset freezes, on Israeli individuals, entities including businesses, corporations and financial institutions, involved in the unlawful occupation and apartheid regime as well as on any foreign or domestic entities and individuals subject to their jurisdiction that supply goods and services that may aid, assist or enable occupation and apartheid.
Prevent all of their citizens who hold dual citizenship with Israel from serving in the Israeli military or other services that contribute to the occupation and apartheid regime or from buying or renting property anywhere in occupied Palestinian territory.
Investigate and prosecute those subjects to their jurisdiction, who are involved in crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory, including dual citizens serving in Israel’s military, including mercenaries or those involved in settler violence.
Rescind legislation and policies that criminalise and penalise advocacy in support of Palestinian rights to self-determination and non-violent opposition to Israel’s occupation and apartheid, including support for the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement.
Disseminate the Court’s findings widely, ensuring that the occupied status of the West Bank including east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, and the illegality of Israel’s presence are reflected in public documents and education systems.
Make submissions to the ICC so that it investigates international crimes included in the ICJ opinion.
Convene General Assemblies of States parties under the Rome Statute or the Fourth Geneva Convention, to ensure full compliance by all parties in Palestine and Israel with international humanitarian law and international criminal law.
Ensure full protection of Palestinians, especially women, children, persons with disabilities, and older persons by establishing a protective presence and ensuring safe and full access for independent experts and mechanisms charged with monitoring and investigating human rights violations and international crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Decisive action is needed. Facing irresponsible inaction by most governments, it is now incumbent upon civil society organisations and National Human Rights Institutions to mobilise and call on their states to comply with the ICJ’s landmark Advisory Opinion. It is time to knock on the doors of every political leader and responsible official ministry across the world to bring an end to Israel’s illegal occupation, apartheid, oppression of, and onslaught against the Palestinian people, and ultimately ensure truth, justice and accountability. We owe this especially to women and children, who have been disproportionately affected by the current catastrophe.

Failure to act now jeopardises the entire edifice of international law and rule of law in world affairs.

The world stands upon the edge of a knife: Either we travel collectively towards a future of just peace and lawfulness – or hurtle towards anarchy and dystopia, and a world where might makes right.”

XXI. 31^st Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of UN SCR 2334 (2016) on settlements

On 19 September, Tor Wennesland, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, delivered the following statement at the Security Council.

I would like at the outset to express my grave concern over the growing risk of a widescale regional escalation. The series of explosions across Lebanon and rockets fired toward Israel in recent days adds to the volatility. I call on all sides to refrain from steps that will further exacerbate the situation and take immediate steps to deescalate.

Now, turning to today’s briefing that is devoted to the thirty-first report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2334 (2016). It covers the period from 11 June to 11 September.

Security Council resolution 2334 (2016) calls on Israel to “immediately and completely cease all settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem” and to “fully respect all of its legal obligations in this regard.” Settlement activity has, nevertheless, continued.

In total, some 6,370 housing units were advanced or approved in settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Of these, 5,840 housing units were in Area C, including three outposts legalized under Israeli law, and nearly 530 housing units were advanced in the Gilo settlement in East Jerusalem. Construction tenders were published for approximately 1,100 housing units in settlements, including 780 in East Jerusalem.

In settlement-related steps, on 18 July, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Central Command signed a military order amending an order from 1995 that implemented the Oslo Accords, so as to grant to the military commander in the area authority over planning and construction in certain parts of Area B that had been transferred to the Palestinian Authority. The civil administration on 25 June declared over 12,700 dunams as state land in the Jordan valley, adjacent to 8,000 dunams declared in March.

Demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures continued across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible for Palestinians to obtain, Israeli authorities demolished, seized, or forced people to demolish 373 structures, displacing 553 people, including 250 children. 26 of these structures were donor funded.

Evictions of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem also continued. Following a Supreme Court ruling, on 15 August Israeli security forces (ISF) evicted the Shehadeh family from their home in Silwan, in favour of a settler organization, displacing 35 Palestinians.

One hundred and eighty-eight Palestinians, including 111 children, left their occupied West Bank communities, citing violence and harassment by settlers and shrinking grazing land.

On 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice rendered its Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. Among its findings, the Court reaffirmed that “the Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the régime associated with them, have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law”; and, among other things, concluded that it was of the opinion “that the State of Israel is under an obligation to cease immediately all new settlement activities, and to evacuate all settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory”. It stated that “the State of Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful”; “that the State of Israel is under an obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible”; “that all States are under an obligation not to recognize as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by the continued presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory”;

Security Council resolution 2334 (2016) calls for “immediate steps to prevent all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror, as well as all acts of provocation and destruction.” Unfortunately, the devastating conflict in Gaza has continued alongside daily violence in the occupied West Bank, with the high number of fatal incidents precluding me from detailing all.

In Gaza, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health (MOH), from 11 June to 11 September, at least 3,920 Palestinians were killed and at least 10,197 were injured. This brings the total reported by the MOH, since 7 October, to more than 41,084 Palestinians killed, a majority of whom are reportedly women and children.

According to Israeli sources, 101 hostages are still being held captive of the 251 hostages abducted on 7 October. On 1 September, the IDF discovered six hostages in Gaza killed by Palestinian armed groups, including 2 women, and in separate operations recovered the bodies of 12 other killed hostages and rescued one hostage alive. Israeli sources also report over 1,580 Israelis and foreign nationals killed by Hamas or other Palestinian armed groups, including at least 338 women and 40 children, and 783 members of the security forces, since 7 October in attacks either in or originating from Gaza.

Israel continued to conduct strikes from air, land and sea resulting in tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties, massive displacement of civilians and widespread destruction, including civilian infrastructure.

Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups continued to hold hostages in horrific conditions with reports of severe maltreatment, launched attacks at Israeli forces and fired rockets and other projectiles indiscriminately towards Israel. Israel stated that Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups continued to place fighters and military equipment among and underneath dense concentrated areas with civilians.

Israeli operations continued throughout Gaza, displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. 89 percent of Gaza has been placed under evacuation orders at one point or another since 7 October. New evacuation orders have reduced the size of the Israeli-designated “humanitarian zone” in Al Mawasi to just 11 percent of the size Gaza Strip.

Repeated attacks on 30 schools and airstrikes in densely populated areas continued, resulting in the deaths of internally displaced people sheltering in those locations.

On 10 September, three IDF airstrikes on IDP tents in Al Mawasi in Khan Younis killed at least 19 people and injured at least 60 others. The next day, two IDF airstrikes hit al Jaouni school sheltering IDPs in Nuseirat, killing at least 18 people, including children, women, and six UNRWA staff. UNRWA said it was the deadliest incident in the Agency’s history. The IDF stated the target in each strike was a Hamas command and control centre.

On 13 July, according to Gaza MoH, at least 91 Palestinians were killed, and over 300 injured, in an IDF airstrike on Al Mawasi, which, according to the Israeli Government, killed the commander of Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades, Mohammed Deif. On 10 August, an IDF airstrike on the Al-Tabe’een school in Gaza City sheltering approximately 6,000 IDPs, killed at least 93 Palestinians and wounded dozens of others according to Gaza MoH. The IDF said 31 militants were killed in this attack.

On 27 August, despite being clearly marked, a WFP team was struck by gunfire as it was moving towards an IDF checkpoint, sustaining 10 bullet shots. On 9 September, the IDF shot at a UN convoy supporting polio vaccinations for children in northern Gaza, caused heavy damage to UN vehicles and held the convoy at gunpoint for eight hours, threatening to arrest 12 UN staff.

In the reporting period, at least 27 UN personnel were killed in Gaza, bringing the total number of UN staff killed since 7 October to 224.

Meanwhile, violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, continued at alarming levels.

One hundred and sixty Palestinians, including four women and 28 children, were killed during ISF airstrikes, search-and-arrest operations, armed exchanges, demonstrations and other incidents. One Palestinian was killed by Israeli settlers. A total of 849 Palestinians were injured, including 147 by tear gas inhalation and 370 by live ammunition. A total of 86 Palestinians, including nine children and three women, were killed by airstrikes. In August, Israeli airstrikes in the occupied West Bank killed at least one Palestinian every day, on average. Since 7 October, 185 Palestinians, including 33 children, have been killed in airstrikes in the West Bank.

According to Israeli sources, 14 Israelis, including two women and nine security forces personnel, were killed and another 67 were injured by Palestinians in shooting, stabbing and ramming attacks and other incidents.

ISF carried out 1,673 search-and-arrest operations in the occupied West Bank, resulting in 1,295 Palestinians detained, including at least 57 children. Israel currently holds at least 3,323 Palestinians in administrative detention. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict expressed her deep concern about recently published reports by the United Nations describing a dramatic deterioration in conditions of detention for Palestinian men, women and children under Israeli custody, since the 7 October attacks. These reports of sexual violence and other inhumane and degrading treatment could amount to sexualized torture, perpetrated against Palestinian men and women. In July, Israeli military police arrested several Israeli reserve soldiers suspected of the serious sexual abuse of a Palestinian detainee.

In the occupied West Bank, most Palestinians were killed in the context of ISF operations in Area A, including during exchanges of fire with armed Palestinians. These situations are characterized by the increased use of airstrikes, IEDs, and destruction to both private property and civilian infrastructure.

From 5 to 6 August, the IDF conducted a major operation in Jenin, killing at least six Palestinians in two airstrikes and one with live ammunition, and injuring another seven in armed clashes. From 28 August to 6 September, the IDF conducted its largest operation in the occupied West Bank since 2002, stating that it was targeting Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad members and infrastructure in Jenin, Tulkarem and Tubas. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said 36 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded during the operation, including eight children. The IDF bulldozed water, sewage, electricity and communications lines, and approximately 70 percent of the road network in Jenin city, citing the IED threat to its soldiers. One IDF soldier was shot and killed during the operation.

High levels of settler-related violence continued. On 16 August, scores of armed settlers attacked the Palestinian village of Jit in Qalqilya, shooting and killing one Palestinian man, injuring nine others, and setting fire to Palestinian-owned houses, vehicles, and agricultural land. Israel launched an investigation into the incident. A number of senior Israeli officials condemned the attack. On 26 August, dozens of armed Israeli settlers attacked Wadi Rahal village in Bethlehem, during which a Palestinian man was killed.

Violence against Israelis by Palestinians also continued at high levels. On 11 August, an Israeli man was killed in a shooting attack in the Jordan Valley, for which Hamas claimed responsibility. On 18 August, a Palestinian killed a guard in the Israeli settlement of Kedumim. The following day, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed to have conducted what appeared to be an attempted suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, which led to the death of the attacker and injury to one civilian.

The Security Council, in its resolution 2334 (2016), called upon both parties to refrain from provocative actions, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric. Unfortunately, such acts continued.

A joint statement from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad threatened a return to the use of suicide bombings, a call echoed in a speech by a senior Hamas official, while Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades published a graphic leaflet showing an explosive belt and a bombed Israeli bus.

In a video posted on social media, an Israeli minister said “Palestinian prisoners must be killed. Shot in the head” while urging the passing of the bill by the Knesset allowing capital punishment for terrorist offences. Another minister said of Palestinians in Gaza, “Nobody will let us cause two million civilians to die of hunger, even though it might be justified and moral until our hostages are returned.”

Two Israeli ministers made visits to the Holy Sites in Jerusalem, with one of the ministers calling the site “Israeli sovereign territory” while speaking of policies to change the status quo. Israel’s Office of the Prime Minister stated that there was no change to the status quo.

Resolution 2334 (2016) reiterated calls by the Middle East Quartet for “affirmative steps to be taken immediately to reverse negative trends on the ground that are imperilling the two-State solution.”

The catastrophic public health conditions in Gaza continued to deteriorate as access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities continued to shrink. Severe shortages of fuel and medical supplies continued to limit the functionality of remaining hospitals and healthcare centres, particularly in northern Gaza. Education continued to suffer, with Gaza’s 600,000 children having missed an entire year of school and evacuation orders forcing over 30 temporary education spaces to close. Despite these setbacks, UNRWA expanded learning activities. In August, the Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed the first case of polio in 25 years. A polio vaccination campaign was launched on 31 August by WHO and UNICEF, with support from other agencies, including UNRWA, which has thus far vaccinated 70 per cent of some 650,000 children under 10.

Following the Israeli military ground operation into Rafah and the subsequent closure of the Rafah crossing in May, humanitarian organizations faced many obstacles that impeded their ability to regularly pick up supplies entering through the Karem Abu Salem/Kerem Shalom Crossing. These included continued hostilities, impassable roads and deteriorating civil order.

On 6 August, the Israeli Minister of Finance said Israel will confiscate 26 million USD of Palestinian clearance revenues that Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority and transfer it to “the families of terror victims”. The next day, Israel terminated a customs clearing mechanism with Norway that reportedly holds nearly 220 million USD of Palestinian clearance revenues in escrow and demanded the funds be returned to Israel. Israel described this as a response to Norway’s recognition of the State of Palestine in May.

In Israel, some 120,000 Israelis, including 50,000 children, have been displaced from their homes in the south and north of Israel in the context of hostilities.

In resolution 2334 (2016), the Security Council also called upon all States “to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967.” No new steps are known to have been taken in the period.

In its Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024 the International Court of Justice, expressed the view that Member States “are under an obligation … to distinguish in their dealings with Israel between the territory of the State of Israel and the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967”.

Resolution 2334 (2016) also called upon “all parties to continue, inter alia, to exert collective efforts to launch credible negotiations on all final status issues in the Middle East peace process.”

Intense negotiations between international mediators and the parties continued in Doha and Cairo to formulate a deal for a ceasefire and the release of the hostages in Gaza.

On 27 June, Canada announced that it was imposing new sanctions on “seven individuals and five entities for their role in facilitating, supporting or financially contributing to acts of violence by Israeli extremist settlers against Palestinian civilians and their property.” The U.S. and the European Union also announced another round of sanctions and restrictive measures against settlers and entities. On 13 July, Argentina designated Hamas a terrorist organization and ordered a freeze on its financial assets.

From 21-23 July fourteen Palestinian factions, including Fatah and Hamas, attended reconciliation talks in Beijing where they signed a declaration reiterating their commitment to form a national unity government and implement previous agreements.

In closing, allow me to share the Secretary-General’s observations on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016).

I once again strongly condemn the horrific attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Israel on 7 October 2023, their continued holding of hostages in Gaza and the recent deliberate killing of six hostages whose bodies showed signs of severe mistreatment. There is no justification for the deliberate killing, maiming, torture and abduction of civilians and the use of sexual violence. Hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. And, for as long as they are held, they must be treated humanely and allowed to receive visits and assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross. I condemn the continued indiscriminate attacks, including the firing of rockets toward Israeli population centres, and the use of human shields, which are prohibited by international humanitarian law, and must cease.
I again unequivocally condemn the widespread killing and injury of civilians in Gaza, including women and children, and the deprivation of essentials to survive. Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. I am concerned over what may amount to serious violations of international humanitarian law, including possible noncompliance with the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions. I mourn the UN staff killed in Gaza and strongly condemn the killing of all health and humanitarian personnel. These incidents must stop immediately and be thoroughly and independently investigated.
The level of suffering witnessed in Gaza is unprecedented in my mandate as Secretary-General of the United Nations. To address the colossal humanitarian needs and improve the intolerable conditions of civilians, Israel must fully open all crossings into Gaza and facilitate the immediate, safe, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale directly to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip in accordance with its obligations under international humanitarian law.
I reiterate my call for an immediate ceasefire to end human suffering and urge all sides to redouble efforts to reach a deal that will bring about an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. I continue to engage all stakeholders towards these objectives. A deal is crucial to saving lives, releasing all the hostages, reducing regional tensions and enabling the UN, in cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, to accelerate efforts to address the pressing needs of Gaza’s population. I welcome the efforts of Egypt, Qatar and the United States, to reach a deal.
I strongly condemn all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror. The escalation of violence in the occupied West Bank and Israel is highly alarming. Palestine refugee camps are sustaining significant infrastructure damage during ISF operations throughout the occupied West Bank. I urge security forces to exercise maximum restraint and use lethal force only when it is strictly unavoidable to protect life. I call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law. All those injured must have access to medical care, and humanitarian workers must be able to reach everyone in need. I also recall that Israel, as the Occupying Power, has a responsibility to ensure that the civilian population is protected against all acts of violence and call on Israel to ensure thorough, independent and prompt investigations into all instances of possible excessive use of force.
I am deeply concerned about the large number of Palestinians, including children, detained by Israeli security forces and the increase in the number of Palestinians held in administrative detention by Israel since 7 October 2023. Reports of torture and other ill-treatment during arrest and detention, including sexual violence, are also deeply concerning.
I condemn the attacks carried out by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, including in the proximity and with the complicity of Israeli Security Forces. The attack on Jit was illustrative of the increasingly coordinated, and deadly nature of these attacks. Attacks by Palestinians against Israelis must also cease immediately. I condemn Hamas’s attempted attack in Tel Aviv and I am alarmed by its call for a return to the use of suicide bombings. All necessary steps must be taken to hold perpetrators accountable.
I reiterate the utmost need to uphold the status quo at the Holy Sites in Jerusalem, taking into account the special and historic role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as custodian of the Holy Sites.
I remain deeply troubled by the relentless expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Israeli policies and practices are systematically altering the land in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, creating dangerous dynamics and an existential threat to the two-State solution. Settlement expansion, settler violence and recent Israeli administrative steps and large-scale state land declarations in the occupied West Bank are fundamentally changing the landscape and deepening the occupation. I reiterate that the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation of international law. In this respect, I note the recent findings by the International Court of Justice mentioned above in its Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024.
The demolition and seizure of Palestinian-owned structures may entail numerous human rights violations and raise concerns about the risk of forcible transfer. I note the conclusion of the International Court of Justice in this regard. I urge the Government of Israel to end this practice, in line with its obligations under international law. Palestinians must be allowed to build legally and address their development needs.
I am alarmed by the multiple instances in which officials have engaged in dangerous provocations, incitement and inflammatory language, which must be rejected by all.
I express my deepest appreciation to UNRWA and to all the UN agencies and personnel and humanitarian aid workers, who remain committed to their work across the OPT despite the significant security risks. I am deeply concerned by efforts to undermine their lifesaving work. The inviolability of UN premises must be respected at all times by all.
To meet the challenges ahead, we must establish political and security frameworks that can address the humanitarian catastrophe, start early recovery, rebuild Gaza, and lay the groundwork for a political process to end the occupation and establish a two-State solution. These frameworks must facilitate a legitimate Palestinian government that can re-unify Gaza and the occupied West Bank politically, economically and administratively while reversing the steadily deteriorating dynamics in the occupied West Bank. Palestinian unity is an essential building block to a just and lasting peace. Israeli measures that undermine the PA must be urgently addressed. The Government of Palestine will require significant support from the international community to advance these objectives.
Finally, any lasting progress cannot be divorced from the ongoing Israeli occupation and unresolved Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Progress towards peace must address and fully realize the fundamental and legitimate right of Palestinians to self-determination and sovereignty over the entirety of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It must also address Israel’s legitimate security concerns. We must collectively take steps towards establishing a political framework that outlines tangible, irreversible steps towards ending the occupation and establishing a two-State solution – Israel and Palestine, of which Gaza is an integral part, living side-by-side in peace and security, on the basis of United Nations resolutions, previous agreements, and international law, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States. The United Nations will continue to support all efforts towards that goal.

XXII. UN Child Rights Committee urges Israel to immediately cease the killing and injuring of Palestinian children in Gaza

On 19 September, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) issued the following press release.

The Committee welcomed the establishment of a Government Unit for Coordination of the Rights of Children and Youth and the measures taken to support the large number of children displaced following the 7 October attacks. However, it expressed concerns about the negative impact of the attacks and the ongoing armed conflict on the mental health and well-being of children, as well as the long waiting lists for those seeking mental health services. The Committee recommended that the State party strengthen the accessibility and range of child-sensitive trauma-focused mental health services, and urgently address the long waiting times.

The Committee was greatly concerned about the high number of children in Gaza killed, maimed, injured, missing, displaced, orphaned and subjected to famine, malnutrition and disease, as a result of the State party’s indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks. It urged the State party to immediately cease the killing and injuring of Palestinian children in Gaza, to ensure safe and unrestricted humanitarian access to and within the Gaza Strip, and to allow entry of all construction materials necessary for Palestinian families to rebuild homes and civilian and public infrastructure.

The Committee was deeply concerned about the continued abduction, arbitrary arrest, and prolonged detention of large numbers of Palestinian children by Israeli forces, mostly without charge, trial or access to legal representation or contact with family members. It urged the State party to immediately end the arbitrary and administrative detention of children, to release all Palestinian children who have been arbitrarily detained, and to abolish the institutionalized system of detention and the use of torture and ill-treatment against them at all stages of the judicial procedure.

XXIII. Israeli authorities stop issuing visas to the international NGO community

On 20 September, Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), issued the following statement.

The Israeli Authorities have stopped giving visas to heads and staff of the international NGO community. For years, these organisations have been providing humanitarian assistance to people in need in close partnership with the U.N.

Increasingly, the Government of Israel is phasing out representation from humanitarian organisations or those engaged in reporting on the atrocities of this war and the impact on civilians.

As humanitarian needs continue to increase, we need more humanitarian workers not less. The opposite is now happening.

This comes on top of the ongoing entry ban of international media to report freely from inside Gaza, at a time when a number of senior UN officials are not given permission to visit Gaza and/or are prevented to travel to the West Bank including East Jerusalem.

Humanitarian organisations and international media are prevented from doing their work properly. This has to end, and restrictions must be lifted. Let us do our work including at UNRWA.

XXIV. Israeli military must stop attacking schools that provide the last shelter to Palestinians in Gaza – OHCHR

On 23 September, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory issued the following press release.

The Israeli military must stop attacking schools that provide the last shelter to Palestinians in Gaza as rains threaten to flood IDP tents. In the last three days alone, the Israeli military struck three schools serving as shelters for IDPs. On 21 September, 22 Palestinians were killed when Israeli forces hit Az Zaytun School in Gaza City; on 22 September, 7 Palestinians were killed when the military struck Kafar Qasam School also in Gaza City, and last night, a Palestinian girl and her parents were killed when the Israeli military struck Khalid Bin Waleed school in An Nuseirat. In each of the strikes, the fatalities included children and women, with at least 16 children out of 32 killed in total. In September alone, 10 schools have been hit, with 86 fatalities reported.

We reiterate that all parties to the conflict have an obligation to respect and protect civilians. Palestinian armed groups must refrain from deliberately co-locating military objectives and civilians or civilian objects and must take all feasible precautions to protect the civilian population and civilian objects under their control against the effects of attacks. Even where Palestinian armed groups have failed to comply with these basic principles of IHL, Israeli forces retain their obligations to respect the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack.

Considering the pattern of civilian harm and damage, the measures taken by the Israeli military in these cases do not appear to have been sufficient to prevent disproportionate harm and damage.

The children of Gaza have already lost schools as a place of education. Now, they are being killed in schools as they seek shelter. This must end.

XXV. UN expert shocked by death of another Palestinian doctor in Israeli detention

On 24 September, Tlaleng Mofokeng, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, issued the following press release.

A UN expert today condemned the death of a third physician from Gaza while in Israeli custody and renewed calls for the protection of healthcare workers in the occupied Palestinian territory.

“On the cusp of the one-year anniversary of the genocide, I continue to be shocked at Israel’s blatant disregard for the right to health in Gaza and the rest of the occupied territory,” said Tlaleng Mofokeng, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health. “Dr. Ziad Eldalou is the third doctor confirmed to have died while being detained by Israel since 7 October 2023.”

Eldalou was an internal medicine physician at Al Shifa Hospital, located in Gaza City. He was detained along with other healthcare workers, while on duty at Al Shifa Hospital on 18 March 2024, during a raid by Israeli Forces. He reportedly died on 21 March 2024 while in detention.

He is one of more than 885 healthcare workers reportedly killed in Gaza and the West Bank since 7 October 2023. This includes nurses, paramedics, doctors, and other medical personnel. Many more have been injured. The World Health Organization reported 1,043 health attacks in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem since 7 October 2023.

“Israel must stop destroying and hindering the already limited functioning of the health system in Palestine, by protecting healthcare workers,” Mofokeng said.

“The practice of medicine is never a crime during conflict – but targeted killing of healthcare workers is,” the expert said. “Israel must stop.”

The Special Rapporteur said the targeting of healthcare workers and healthcare facilities contravenes the fundamental right of individuals to access essential healthcare services, a matter of acute significance during times of conflict, and may constitute a war crime.

According to the World Health Organization, at least another 128 healthcare workers remain in custody after being arbitrarily detained by Israeli forces while on duty.

Mofokeng demanded the immediate release of all healthcare workers arbitrarily detained in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, and urgent, independent and impartial investigations, and accountability for those who have unlawfully detained and killed them.

She has been in communication with the Government of Israel on this matter.

“A people’s inability to fully exercise their right to self-determination impacts the enjoyment of all their fundamental rights, including the right to health,” Mofokeng said.

“Immediately cease fire. End the occupation. End the genocide,” she said.

XXVI. UN country team submits draft early recovery strategy for Gaza to AHLC donor group

On 25 September, the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process issued the following press release.

The United Nations has released a draft strategy for scaling up early recovery interventions in Gaza, once certain conditions on the ground are met.

The draft strategy presents a joint, cross-pillar approach by the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, fitting under the humanitarian planning cycle and the overall tripartite framework of the World Bank, European Union, and United Nations on recovery assessment and planning.

“While I remain resolutely focused on supporting the parties to reach a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, further scaling up humanitarian assistance and early recovery is essential,” noted UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland. “For early recovery to work, we must have a political and security framework in place that will provide some security and hope for Palestinians. A robust early recovery strategy cannot be rolled out amidst chaos like we have now. The UN and its partners will need a more secure environment within which to work and Palestinians institutions with which to relate.”

The World Bank, European Union, and UN are jointly leading a Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) process and formulating a Conflict Recovery Framework (CRF), to be implemented when conditions on the ground permit. Globally, these processes are led at the country level. As agreed with the Palestinian Authority, the RDNA and CRF will support the Palestinian Authority’s own planning for recovery and reconstruction in Gaza.

With their partnership activated since late 2023, the World Bank, European Union, and United Nations published the Gaza Interim Damage Assessment in April 2024, estimating some 20 billion USD in physical infrastructure damages alone over the first four months of the war, a sum that is expected to have increased significantly since the end of January.

“We will continue ramping up humanitarian delivery and early recovery interventions if conditions change, particularly in the areas of health, livelihoods, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene,” said Muhannad Hadi, the Deputy Special Coordinator, UN Resident Coordinator, and Humanitarian Coordinator. “The UNCT and HCT have been working on this strategy for many months, and its release is an important milestone in our planning. The paper will feed into the next humanitarian appeal and the Conflict Recovery Framework,” Mr. Hadi added.

Conditions for Scaling Up Early Recovery across Gaza

The draft strategy sets out a range of factors that will determine the speed, scale, and scope of early recovery interventions. The UNCT and HCT believe that the following elements are minimum necessary conditions for significantly scaling up early recovery activities across Gaza and then transitioning into a medium-term recovery phase:

Security, safety, freedom of movement, and the ability to access the population in Gaza.
A transitional political-security framework, that promotes Palestinian ownership and management of recovery, with the Palestinian Authority at its centre.
Minimum levels of essential services, particularly water, electricity, sanitation, banking and financial services, and telecommunications, within a coherent governance framework.
At-scale and predictable entry of humanitarian, commercial, and reconstruction goods, materials, and equipment, including from the West Bank.
The ability for the UN, NGOs, and their partners to obtain Israeli visas, identify and deploy experts, import protective equipment, and other practical, operational issues.
Sufficient donor funding, preferably in consistent, multi-year, and flexible modalities.

Political Context for Scaling Up a Durable Early Recovery

The draft strategy notes that any viable early recovery must be firmly rooted in a broader political and security framework that that can address the effects of the humanitarian catastrophe and generate momentum to rebuild Gaza as an integral part of a fully independent, contiguous, viable, and sovereign Palestinian State. Such a framework must also lay the groundwork for a political process to end the occupation and establish a two-State solution. Critically, the Palestinian Authority must be at the centre of planning for and the implementing of recovery and reconstruction in Gaza.

The key political principles that guide UN efforts are:

There should be no long-term Israeli military presence in Gaza, while at the same time Israel’s legitimate security concerns must be addressed.
Gaza is and must remain an integral part of a future Palestinian State – with no reductions in its territory.
Gaza and the occupied West Bank must be unified politically, economically, and administratively.
There can be no long-term solution in Gaza that is not fundamentally political.

Central to achieving these objectives is strengthening the institutions of the Palestinian Authority, while rejecting any actions that systematically undermine its viability. International support is urgently needed to strengthen the capacities of the Palestinian Government and prepare it to reassume its full responsibilities in Gaza. Political, institutional, and economic reforms will be needed as well, but they must be achievable and properly financed.

XXVII. Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) meets in New York

On Following is the Chair summary of the meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee of donors held in New York on 26 September.

The Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) met in New York on 26 September 2024. The Chair commends the Palestinian delegation for their participation. The Chair also thanks the AHLC members, including the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the Office of the Quartet, and the World Bank for their valuable contributions to the meeting. The Chair notes that Israel did not participate.

The meeting took place during a difficult time in the region, with unspeakable horrors, tremendous human loss and suffering among civilians.

At the meeting, the Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa presented his government’s strategic framework “Build Palestine” which draws up the following fundamental pillars for consolidating an independent Palestinian state: 1) Reunification of the West Bank and Gaza 2) Institutional Transformation and Reform, 3) Gaza Recovery and Reconstruction, and 4) Palestine Comprehensive Economic Development Program, with a pivotal role for the private sector.

The AHLC members welcomed the Palestinian Government’s progress on reform since the International Partners Meeting on Palestine in Brussels on 26 May 2024. Joint and swift actions by all parties remain crucial for their success. The Palestinian economy is likely experiencing the largest shock it has ever recorded in recent history. The war has brought Gaza’s economy close to collapse and the West Bank is experiencing a deep recession. The Palestinian Government’s fiscal challenges are compounded by Israel’s withholding of clearance revenues and the heavy restrictions on access and movement inside and out of the West Bank.

The AHLC participants called for an end to all illegal and harmful policies, that undermine the Palestinian Government and the Palestinian economy, for full transfer of the clearance revenues, and the continuation of corresponding banking relations.

The AHLC participants highlighted the importance of actions not only addressing the current humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, but also shaping a political reality.

The AHLC underlined that the Gaza Strip must remain an integral part of the Palestinian state without any reductions of territory or demography. The Gaza Strip and the West Bank must be united politically, economically and administratively. Participants noted the need for a single, coordinated effort for reconstruction and recovery, rather than disparate workstreams.

A thematic session was held in preparation for the Ministerial Meeting, with interventions from the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Office of the Quartet and the European Union. Participants discussed how the AHLC members can assist the Palestinian Government and their reform programme financially, including through existing multi donor trust funds and new multi-year initiatives; contribute to the unification of the Palestinian governmental institutions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and principles and actions for early recovery and reconstruction. Participants underlined that all efforts must be Palestinian-owned and led. Budget support and other direct assistance to the Palestinian Government play an important role in improving its finances in the short term but addressing structural challenges and a political solution are required for, inter alia, a sustainable Palestinian economy.

The AHLC called on:

The Palestinian Government to continue, with the support of the donors, reform efforts according to the four priority pillars identified by the Palestinian Government: fiscal and public finance policy; governance and rule of law; investment and business climate, and basic service provision.
Israel to lift restrictions on access and movement, both within West Bank governorates, including East Jerusalem, and across border for Palestinian workers in Israel; to stop measures that weaken the Palestinian Government , including to ensure continued uninterrupted flow of clearance revenues to the Palestinian Government in full and uphold corresponding banking relations; immediately halt settlement building and prevent settler violence and hold perpetrators accountable; as well as to support the resumption of basic services in Gaza through restoring electricity and water supplies to pre-war levels, facilitating deconfliction, and entry of fuel, materials and other commodities.
The international community to increase financial and other kinds of assistance to the Palestinian people, including budget support and direct support to strengthen the Palestinian Government and its reform efforts, as well as to UNRWA and short-term investments to cover urgent needs on the ground; to support the preparation for recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, being led by the Palestinian Government, with the support of the World Bank, the European Union, and the United Nations; to ensure that any early recovery for the Gaza Strip are guided by a set of common Palestinian-owned political principles, ensuring that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are unified; and for the International Monetary Fund, the Office of the Quartet, the United Nations and the World Bank to continue to provide factual and relevant analyses and recommendations in their respective reports to the AHLC.
All actors to renew their efforts for Palestinian statehood and for charting a path toward an end to the conflict in accordance with international law.

XXVIII. People of Gaza in ‘a Living Hell’, Secretary-General tells ministerial meeting on UNRWA, calls for intensified support, funding to agency

Following are United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the high-level ministerial meeting in support of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), in New York on 26 September.

I thank the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Sweden for co-chairing this gathering and for their continued leadership in the support for UNRWA. I also thank all of you here today for your solidarity with Palestine refugees.

When we met one year ago, I spoke about putting ourselves in the shoes of Palestinians in Gaza. Of imagining what life must be like. I ended my remarks one year ago by saying: “This is the most dramatic humanitarian problem associated with the riskiest explosive potential.” This was just days before the horrors of 7 October 2023.

Now, almost one year since that day, the situation for Palestinians in Gaza is beyond imagination. It has been said that “the United Nations was not created to bring us to heaven, but to save us from hell”. Unfortunately, neither the United Nations nor anyone else that might have the power to do it was able to save the people of Gaza from hell.

We have failed the people of Gaza. They are in a living hell that somehow gets even worse by the day. Over 41,000 people have been reported killed and more than 90,000 wounded, many with life-changing and life-long injuries. The majority are women and children.

Two million Palestinians are now crammed into a space the size of the Shanghai International Airport. Existing – not living, but existing – among lakes of sewage, piles of rubbish and mountains of rubble. The only certainty they have is that tomorrow will be worse.

Yet, if there is any outpost of hope in this hellscape, it is UNRWA. Even though UNRWA, as we all know, has not been spared. On the human level, 222 UNRWA colleagues have been killed, many together with entire families, several in the line of duty. This is the highest death toll in UN history.

I ask you, all of you, to think for a moment in the different entities that you preside [over], or to which you belong, what would be the impact if 222 members would have been killed and even after that having to go with their duties to save the people of Palestine.

UNRWA personnel have been attacked repeatedly while going about their work. Women and men are displaced, shot at, and subjected to violent protests, detained by Israeli security forces, reporting mistreatment and torture.

UNRWA has not been spared on the operational level, the humanitarian response in Gaza is being strangled. Protection and deconfliction mechanisms for humanitarian aid deliveries have failed. Attempts to evict UNRWA from its headquarters in East Jerusalem continue.

And UNRWA has not been spared on the political level. This includes systematic disinformation campaigns that discredit the agency’s life-long work. Meanwhile, draft legislation in the Israeli parliament seeks to label the Agency a terrorist organization and to make any activity by UNRWA on Israeli territory illegal.

In the face of the catastrophic conditions, UNRWA perseveres. This is a tribute to the resilience of the women and men of UNRWA, and a tribute to your support. I have full confidence in UNRWA’s continued commitment to upholding the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality, and humanity and to implement the recommendations of the Independent Review by Catherine Colonna.

Member States are showing that same confidence. Virtually all donors have reversed their funding suspensions. One hundred and twenty-three countries have signed up to the declaration on shared commitments to UNRWA. This underscores the consensus that UNRWA’s role across the occupied West Bank and the region is vital.

There is no alternative to UNRWA. Now is the time to work on all fronts to intensify support for the Agency’s vital mission. Support with funding that is sufficient, predictable and flexible.

Of course, we all know that UNRWA is not a sustainable long-term solution to the plight of Palestine refugees. It was never meant to be. That is why we keep pressing for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the immediate release of all hostages and a long-term political solution ending the occupation and leading to two States living side by side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital.

But, until that moment, UNRWA remains indispensable. I urge your full support. Help us to save UNRWA as it works to save and serve Palestine refugees. Thank you.

XXIX Immediate ceasefire leading to two-state solution ‘only way to end cycle of tragedy’ in Middle East, Secretary-General tells Security Council

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council briefing on Gaza, in New York on 27 September.

Almost one year has passed since the horrific acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on 7 October 2023. I repeat my utter condemnation of these attacks, and the taking of hostages. Nothing can justify such acts.

This week, I held two more in a series of meetings with the families of hostages. I call again for their immediate and unconditional release.

Since 7 October 2023, relentless Israeli bombardment and hostilities have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, including many women and children. Countless others have been injured, maimed and traumatized for life.

The speed and scale of the killing and destruction in Gaza are unlike anything in my years as Secretary-General. Nothing can also justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

Over the past year, virtually the entire population of Gaza has been displaced, many of them several times, with nowhere safe to go. Half of the homeless are children.

All are surviving in appalling conditions with very limited access to food, water, sanitation, shelter and health care. All are in constant fear for their lives.

In the face of this destruction, international humanitarian law is in tatters. And let’s be clear: Violations by one side cannot be used to justify violations by the other.

The humanitarian system is hanging by a thread. 226 of our own colleagues have been killed, many with their families. I call for investigations and accountability for these killings.

At the same time, violence continues in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Some 700 Palestinians and 14 Israelis have been killed since 7 October 2023, the highest number on both sides in more than two decades. The construction of new settlements, land-grabs, demolitions and settler violence all continue.

The Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice found that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful, and that Israel has an obligation to end it as rapidly as possible.

The General Assembly demanded that Israel should comply. Meanwhile, the Israeli authorities continue to limit and prevent the international media from reporting from the Occupied Palestinian Territory. International media outlets are the eyes and ears of the world. Journalists must be able to do their jobs everywhere.

Shockwaves radiating from the unprecedented death and destruction in Gaza now threaten to push the entire region into the abyss: a full-scale conflagration with unimaginable consequences.

Monday was the bloodiest day in Lebanon since 2006. Today, Israel Defence Forces struck civilian buildings in Beirut, saying they had targeted Hizbullah’s main headquarters located underneath. War in Lebanon could lead to further escalation involving outside powers.

I fully support the proposal for a temporary ceasefire, allowing for the delivery of humanitarian relief and paving the way for the resumption of serious negotiations for a durable peace across the Blue Line. We need this ceasefire now. We cannot afford endless negotiations, as we have on Gaza. We must avoid a regional war at all costs.

Gaza remains the epicentre of the violence. And Gaza is key to ending it. Gaza is the most dangerous place in the world for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. But our colleagues continue to do their utmost to fulfil their humanitarian mission.

The recent polio vaccination campaign shows what humanitarian agencies can do when they are allowed to carry out their vital work. But crossing points into Gaza remain restricted or inaccessible. Roads are damaged and littered with unexploded ordnance.

Essential items, including shelter kits and protective equipment, are prohibited. So far this month, almost half of coordinated humanitarian movements in Gaza were denied access or otherwise impeded by the Israeli authorities. Eighty-seven per cent of movements between the north and south were denied or impeded. Instead of scaling up humanitarian operations, we see a scaling up of attacks and harassment against humanitarian personnel.

On 28 August, Israeli forces opened fire on a clearly marked World Food Programme (WFP) armoured vehicle that was part of a convoy that had been coordinated with the Israeli military authorities. Ten bullets hit the windows of the vehicle.

On 9 September, a UN convoy that had been fully coordinated with Israeli forces was stopped at Al-Rashid checkpoint on its way to support the polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza. Soldiers pointed their weapons directly at the convoy personnel. The clearly marked UN vehicles were encircled by Israeli forces and live shots were fired.

The convoy was approached by two Israeli tanks and a bulldozer. The rear tank rammed the UN vehicles from the back, compacting the convoy with 12 humanitarian workers inside. The bulldozer dropped debris on the first vehicle, while soldiers threatened the UN and non-governmental organization (NGO) personnel inside.

Actions like this create significant risks to UN and other humanitarian personnel. Attacks on humanitarians are an unacceptable assault on the values of the United Nations and must stop.

Meanwhile, the indispensable work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) cannot be undermined by attacks against its people and mandate, and by administrative obstacles.

I urge the Israeli authorities to do everything in their power to end attacks on UN personnel and property; to stop spreading disinformation against UN officials and entities; and to speed up the approval of visas and procurement requests.

All parties must abide by their obligations to protect humanitarian personnel and ensure that civilian sites are not used for military purposes. The United Nations will continue to support all efforts towards sustainable peace, starting with an end to the violence.

The death spiral must end, for Gaza, for the people of Palestine and Israel, for the region and for the world. International humanitarian law must be respected. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. Aid must flow freely and safely. And there must finally be accountability.

The key to peace in the region is a political solution. All hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally, and the international community must mobilize for an immediate ceasefire and the beginning of an irreversible process towards the end of the Occupation and the creation of a Palestinian State.

I urge the Council to unite in support of an immediate ceasefire leading to a viable two-State solution. That is the only way to end this cycle of tragedy.

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