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Security Council Seventy-Sixth Year 8826Th Meeting Wednesday, 28 United Nations S/PV.8826 Security Council Provisional Seventy-sixth year 8826th meeting Wednesday, 28 July 2021, 10 a.m. New York President: Mr. De Rivière .................................. (France) Members: China ......................................... Mr. Geng Shuang Estonia ........................................ Mr. Lipand India ......................................... Mr. Kakanur Ireland ........................................ Mr. Flynn Kenya. Mr. Kiboino Mexico ........................................ Mr. De la Fuente Ramírez Niger ......................................... Mr. Abarry Norway ....................................... Ms. Juul Russian Federation ............................... Mr. Polyanskiy Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ................... Ms. King Tunisia ........................................ Mr. Ladeb United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland .. Dame Barbara Woodward United States of America .......................... Mrs. Thomas-Greenfield Viet Nam ...................................... Mr. Dang Agenda The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question In accordance with the procedure set out in the letter by the President of the Security Council addressed to Permanent Representatives of Security Council members dated 7 May 2020 (S/2020/372), which was agreed in light of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this official record of the Security Council will be supplemented by a compilation of annexes (S/2021/685) containing the statements submitted by interested non-members of the Council. 21-20868 (E) *2120868* S/PV.8826 The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question 28/07/2021 The meeting was called to order at 10 a.m. Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for the Coordination of the International Assistance to Palestinians was held to Adoption of the agenda align donors’ efforts to help address both the aftermath of the May escalation and the significant fiscal crisis The agenda was adopted. facing the Palestinian Authority (PA). The situation in the Middle East, including the International efforts coordinated by the United Palestinian question Nations to implement the humanitarian response and stabilize the situation on the ground in Gaza are well The President (spoke in French): In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of under way. Thus far, some $45 million of the requested procedure, I invite the representative of Israel to $95 million dollars has been raised for the consolidated participate in this meeting. humanitarian flash appeal published by the United Nations in May. I thank donors for their generous I propose that the Council invite the Permanent support and urge additional contributions so that the Observer of the Observer State of Palestine to the United numerous pressing needs can be addressed. The United Nations to participate in the meeting, in accordance Nations and its partners stand ready to implement with the provisional rules of procedure and the previous urgently needed recovery and reconstruction initiatives practice in this regard. in coordination with the Israeli and Palestinian There being no objection, it is so decided. authorities, Egypt, Qatar and other regional and international partners. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following On 28 June, fuel deliveries for the Gaza power plant briefers to participate in the meeting: Ms. Lynn Hastings, resumed through the Kerem Shalom crossing under the Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace existing United Nations framework through the United Process, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), with Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian support from Qatar. Electricity supply is now roughly Territory; and Ms. Yudith Oppenheimer, Executive 14 hours per day, critical for Gaza and its residents. Director of Ir Amim. On 24 June, the Israeli authorities expanded the Gaza fishing zone from six to nine nautical miles, and then The Security Council will now begin its once again on 12 July to 12 nautical miles. Additional consideration of the item on its agenda. restrictions on the import and export of certain goods I give the floor to Ms. Hastings. were also lifted. However, on 25 July the fishing zone was restricted again to six nautical miles, following the Ms. Hastings: I brief the Security Council today launch of incendiary balloons from the Gaza Strip. as the United Nations and its partners are providing urgent assistance to Gaza in the wake of the recent In that context, further steps are needed. It is round of hostilities. Beyond the human tragedy for both essential that Israel implement additional measures to Palestinians and Israelis and the physical damage of 11 allow unhindered entry of all humanitarian assistance, days of fighting, the economic impact of the escalation in including materials to implement the 2021 humanitarian May has further exacerbated the existing humanitarian response plan and the flash appeal. Beyond the crisis and severely weakened Gaza’s economy. immediate humanitarian needs, without regular and predictable entry of goods into Gaza, the capacity of On 6 July, the United Nations, the World Bank the United Nations and our partners to deliver critical and the European Union released the rapid damage interventions is at risk, as are the provision of basic and needs assessment. According to the assessment, services, the livelihoods of people and the wider damages in Gaza are estimated to be from $290 to Gaza economy. $380 million, while economic losses may reach nearly $200 million. The social sector was hit the hardest, In that context, the trilateral Gaza Reconstruction significantly weakening the safety net for the most Mechanism — with the Government of Israel, vulnerable. The immediate and short-term recovery the Palestinian Authority and the United and reconstruction needs are estimated at $345 to Nations — established in 2014 and operated by $485 million. The same day, a technical meeting of the UNOPS, remains best-placed to enable the entry and 2/24 21-20868 28/07/2021 The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question S/PV.8826 accountable delivery of a wide range of essential several causing fires. In retaliation, the Israeli Defense imports from Israel. Furthermore, for any durable Forces (IDF) fired 18 missiles against what it said were stability, movement and access in and out of Gaza must Hamas targets in the Strip, resulting in damage but no be improved. Taking into consideration its legitimate injuries. security concerns, Israel should ease restrictions on the movement of goods and people to and from Gaza, On 22 July, a Palestinian was killed and some 14 in line with resolution 1860 (2009), with the goal of others were injured in an explosion in the Az-Zawiya ultimately lifting them. Hamas and other armed groups marketplace, in Gaza City. The Israeli Security Forces must stop the launching of incendiary devices, rockets (ISF) said the incident was an “internal matter” and and mortars and end the militant build up. that Israel had not been involved. Hamas has reportedly opened an investigation. In terms of looking ahead, with additional donor support, existing United Nations humanitarian cash In the occupied West Bank, including East assistance or other programmes could quickly be scaled Jerusalem, clashes, attacks, search-and-arrest up to reach tens or hundreds of thousands of Palestinians operations and other incidents resulted in the death of in Gaza. While urgent humanitarian interventions can four Palestinians, including a child, and injuries to 638 provide critical relief in the short term, any sustainable Palestinians, including 46 children and seven women. future in Gaza requires political solutions. I once Five Israeli security personnel were injured during again reiterate the need for the return of a legitimate these events. Palestinian Government to the Gaza Strip. On 25 June, Israeli forces shot, injured and detained The Palestinian Authority’s fiscal situation a Palestinian who they said was planning to carry out continues to be a source of significant concern. The a stabbing attack near the settlement of Yitzhar, in the budget gap is expected to be well over $1 billion for the northern West Bank. current budget year, and the Palestinian financial sector is exposed to serious liquidity risks. Compounding the On 3 July, a Palestinian man was shot and killed by PA’s financial situation, on 11 July, the Israeli Security the ISF in the village of Qusra, near Nablus, following Cabinet approved the freezing of some 600 million clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinians. Israeli shekels from the clearance revenues Israel According to the ISF, the man was shot after throwing collects on behalf of the PA. an object that exploded near Israeli soldiers. The funds will be deducted in monthly instalments, On 14 July, a Palestinian man was shot and injured in line with Israeli Knesset legislation from 2018, by the ISF after reportedly trying to enter the settlement which authorizes the withholding of funds equal to the of Yitzhar with a knife. amount that Israeli authorities determine have been paid by the PA over the preceding year to security On 18 July, clashes broke out between Palestinians prisoners and detainees and the families of Palestinians and the ISF in and around the holy sites, ahead of killed while carrying out attacks. Palestinian
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