The below reports are prepared by the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) and are presented to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) at its bi-annual meeting.
The reports provide an assessment of the efforts of the Palestinian Government toward state-building and an update on the situation on the ground.
The Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) serves as the principal policy-level coordination mechanism for development assistance to the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). The AHLC is chaired by Norway and co-sponsored by the EU and the US. In addition, the United Nations participates together with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The AHLC seeks to promote dialogue between donors, the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel. The full report to the AHLC prepared by the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process is attached to this release and includes an executive summary of its main conclusions.
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Excerpts from Secretary-General’s remarks at the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation
18 October 2023, Beijing
Excerpts from Secretary-General’s remarks at the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation
…
With your permission and facing this august assembly, I feel, as Secretary-General of the United Nations, the obligation to say a few words about the catastrophe unfolding in the Middle East.
The region is on the precipice.
Immediately before departing for Beijing, I made two urgent humanitarian appeals:
To Hamas, for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages.
To Israel, to immediately allow unrestricted access of humanitarian aid to respond to the most basic needs of the people of Gaza - the overwhelming majority of whom are women and children.
I am fully aware of the deep grievances of the Palestinian people after 56 years of occupation. But, as serious as these grievances are, they cannot justify the acts of terror against civilians committed by Hamas on October 7 that I immediately condemned.
But those attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
Each of my two humanitarian appeals have a value in themselves.
They are not bargaining chips. They are simply the right thing to do.
And I am horrified by the hundreds of people killed at Al Ahli hospital this same day, in Gaza, by a strike that I strongly condemned earlier today.
I call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to provide sufficient time and space to help realize my two appeals and to ease the epic human suffering we are witnessing.
Too many lives - and the fate of the entire region - hang in the balance.
May the spirit of this meeting help those that need to find peace.
Thank you.
…
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the situation in Gaza
17 October 2023, New York
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on the situation in Gaza
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General
The Secretary-General condemns the strike this evening on Al Ahli Anglican Episcopal Hospital in Gaza, with preliminary reports of hundreds killed and many others wounded, including women and children.
He also condemns the attack on an UNRWA school earlier today in Al-Maghazi refugee camp in Gaza which killed at least six people.
The Secretary-General extends his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a swift recovery to those injured.
He emphasizes that hospitals, clinics, medical personnel, and UN premises are explicitly protected under international law.
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Secretary-General’s statement on the situation in the Middle East
15 October 2023, New York
Secretary-General’s statement on the situation in the Middle East
In this dramatic moment, as we are on the verge of the abyss in the Middle East, it is my duty as Secretary-General of the United Nations to make two strong humanitarian appeals.
To Hamas, the hostages must be immediately released without conditions.
To Israel, rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid must be granted for humanitarian supplies and workers for the sake of the civilians in Gaza.
Gaza is running out of water, electricity and other essential supplies. The United Nations has stocks available of food, water, non-food items, medical supplies and fuel, located in Egypt, Jordan, the West Bank and Israel. These goods can be dispatched within hours. To ensure delivery, our selfless staff on the ground, along with NGO partners, need to be able to bring these supplies into and throughout Gaza safely, and without impediment to deliver to those in need.
Each one of these two objectives are valid in themselves. They should not become bargaining chips and they must be implemented because it is the right thing to do.
- Briefings to the Security Council [revise]