Middle East: The United Nations meets with key players to prevent more deaths

UN officials met with key players in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Sunday, shortly after UN agencies said hundreds of people had been killed and thousands wounded following a new exchange of attacks between Palestinians and Israelis in a conflict that has been ongoing since 1948.

In addition to these attacks, there was an exchange of artillery fire on the border between Israel and Lebanon, as confirmed by the United Nations peacekeeping forces deployed in the region.

Shortly after UN officials met with the various parties and attacks, 15 members in Security Council They met behind closed doors In New York to discuss the current crisis.

The latest escalation of violence occurred in the early hours of Saturday when Palestinian militants fired rockets at Israel and Israel responded immediately with air strikes on the Gaza Strip.

The United Nations agency that helps Palestinian refugees and works in this sector, UNRWAIt indicated after the attacks that it is currently hosting 73,538 internally displaced people in 64 of its schools spread throughout Gaza. One of these schools, housing 225 people, was “directly hit” by the bombing, but although it was severely damaged, no casualties were reported.

Last August, the number of casualties in demonstrations, clashes, military operations, attacks and other incidents this year reached more than 200 Palestinian deaths and about 30 Israelis, which actually exceeded the number of deaths from last year and Making 2023 the bloodiest year in the conflict since 2005.

The border between Israel and Lebanon

Early on Sunday, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) “detected the launching of several missiles from southeastern Lebanon towards the territory occupied by Israel in the Kafr Shuba area, and then recorded artillery fire from Israel towards Lebanon in response.”

The mission, which operates along the area known as the “Blue Line,” was deployed under a United Nations Security Council mandate in 1978 with the aim of restoring peace between Israel and Lebanon.

“We are in contact with the authorities on both sides of the Blue Line, at all levels, in order Contain the situation and avoid escalation “One of the most dangerous acts of violence,” UNIFIL officials said in a statement, in which they reported that their forces remained in their positions and in their missions working for peace, “some of them from shelters for their safety.”

He added: “We urge everyone to exercise restraint and take advantage of UNIFIL’s communication and coordination mechanisms.” To defuse the situation “Avoid rapid deterioration of security,” mission officials said.

In close contact with key actors

Meanwhile, the UN envoy for the Middle East peace process, Tor Wennesland, is “in close contact” with the United States, the European Union, Qatar, Egypt and Lebanon to “discuss the ongoing war” between Israel and Gaza. This is according to a message published by his office on social media.

“The priority now is to avoid further loss of civilian lives The letter states that much-needed humanitarian aid will be provided to the Gaza Strip, adding that “the United Nations remains actively engaged in strengthening these efforts.”

Calls to protect civilians

On the other hand, senior United Nations officials called for an immediate end to the violence. of between it, Secretary General United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, after condemning Hamas’ attacks on Israel, called for “the utmost levels of restraint” and that “All diplomatic efforts“To avoid a major fire.”

“Civilians must be respected and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law at all times,” the UN official said in a statement.

Food shortage alarm

According to him World Food Programme (WFP) As the conflict escalates, civilians, including children and vulnerable families, face increasing difficulties accessing basic food supplies, with distribution networks disrupted and production severely hampered by hostilities.

UN agency” urges Safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to affected areas It calls on all parties to respect the principles of humanitarian law and take all necessary measures to protect the life and well-being of the civilian population, including access to food.

From Gaza, UNRWA reported that food operations remained suspended until further notice, with 14 distribution centers closed and some 112,759 families, or 541,640 people, yet to receive food assistance.