UNITED NATIONS, April 26 -- UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov on Thursday warned of the danger of another war in the Gaza Strip after weeks of violence on the border with Israel.
"This combination of the security, development and humanitarian deterioration, coupled with the political impasse, makes Gaza a power keg. Notwithstanding the tragic developments in the rest of the region, we must do everything possible to prevent another war in Gaza," Mladenov told the Security Council.
For the past four weeks, tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza have converged on the border with Israel in the context of the Great March of Return protests. Demonstrations are expected to continue and culminate around the Israeli independence day on May 14, and could spread to the West Bank and beyond, noted Mladenov.
"If another conflict between Hamas and Israel were to erupt, this would have devastating consequences for Palestinians in Gaza. It could undermine the relative stability of the West Bank and have repercussions for Israel and the region," he warned.
Since March 30, during those demonstrations, 35 Palestinians have been killed and large numbers have been injured by Israeli security forces. No Israeli casualties have been reported, said Mladenov.
There has also been an increasing number of dangerous incidents at the border fence, including the planting of improvised explosive devices -- at least one of which detonated -- the throwing of Molotov cocktails and attempts to breach the fence, he said.
Israel has accused Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other militants of using the protests, women, children and the elderly as a cover to infiltrate into Israel to commit terrorist attacks, he said.
As those protests continue, tension and the potential for serious incidents and further casualties will increase, he warned.
"Israel must calibrate its use of force and minimize the use of live fire. Lethal force should be used only as a last resort. Hamas and the leaders of the demonstrations must keep protestors away from the Gaza fence and to prevent all violent actions and provocations."
Children, who should be particularly protected, are at grave risk, said Mladenov, noting that at least four children have been shot dead by Israeli live fire.
"I take this opportunity to reiterate, in the strongest possible terms, that civilians, particularly children, must not be intentionally put in danger or targeted in any way."
In other incidents, two Hamas militants were shot dead on March 30 in an exchange of fire near Gaza's fence and five rockets and mortars were fired toward Israel in the last month.
On April 12, one person was killed by an Israeli airstrike after a group of Palestinian militants targeted an Israeli aircraft with machinegun fire. At least three additional militants were killed by Israeli security forces in separate incidents, said Mladenov.
On April 15, the Israeli security forces announced it had sealed the fifth Hamas tunnel in the past six months leading from Gaza into Israel.
The Israeli security forces also foiled an attempt in the West Bank to smuggle 10 pipe bombs that were reportedly intended for an attack on Israel's independence day, he said.
All militant activity in Gaza, including the digging of tunnels and the firing of rockets, must cease, he said. "It threatens the lives of Israelis and Palestinians alike, increases the risk of a new escalation of hostilities, undermines calls for lifting the closures, and ultimately damages the prospects for peace."
What is happening in Gaza is an injustice that no man, woman or child should have to endure: the deplorable living conditions; the consequences of the continued, suffocating closures and control by Hamas; and the mounting risk that Gaza could trigger a new conflict, he said.
Palestine remains a central part of the regional quagmire. Until the occupation ends and a two-state solution is achieved through meaningful negotiations based on relevant UN resolutions, the conflict will remain one of the key drivers of extremism and a persistent threat to regional stability, he warned.
体坛英语资讯:Germanys Wandres beats Olympic champion Dujardin in Dressage World Cup
英国“脱欧”协议遭否决 准妈妈议员为投票延后剖腹产
国内英语资讯:China Focus: China, Finland vow to write new chapter in bilateral ties
国内英语资讯:Hainan govt establishes entrepreneurs consulting committee
国际英语资讯:Yemens Houthi rebels fire ballistic missile at Saudi military base
国际英语资讯:Greek govt wins confidence vote, ahead of crucial vote on Macedonia name deal
特朗普:边境需建墙阻挡洪都拉斯“移民大军”
国内英语资讯:Chinese premier urges efforts to keep growth within reasonable range
国内英语资讯:Chinese commerce minister vows continued efforts to attract foreign investment
想成为烹饪达人?一定要避开这些误区
你是不是认为精油对皮肤完全无害?
国内英语资讯:Senior CPC official meets Afghan presidents national security adviser
奶牛印花成2019最新潮流?贝嫂和梅根都穿上了
国际英语资讯:U.S. govt shutdown enters 22nd day, breaking record
国内英语资讯:Chinese mainland spokesperson stresses essence of 1992 Consensus
美国司法部长被提名人:将保护涉俄调查不受政治干预
国际英语资讯:UK galleries to celebrate work of Leonardo da Vinci with 12 exhibitions
食物过敏和食物不耐受的区别是什么?
国际英语资讯:U.S. top diplomat seeks Arab coalition force to face threats
拥有这8个特点的人都很有魅力
卡戴珊做了一口钻石牙?贫穷限制了我的想象力...
“全球最聪明国家与地区榜”发布 中国位列第三
Taylor Swift格莱美几乎0提名?事业到头了吗
奥斯卡没有主持人?听说主办方请了“复联”英雄们来救场
国内英语资讯:Xi orders efforts to promote social justice, ensure peoples wellbeing
眼前有重要考试,应该怎么准备
国内英语资讯:Beijing builds cybersecurity industrial park
国际英语资讯:Roundup: Bangladesh raises wages for millions of garment workers following widespread unrest
国际英语资讯:Kenyan president says terror attack over, 14 killed
人生的四季各有滋味