UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned on March 15, 2024, that escalating Israeli settlement expansions and increasing restrictions on humanitarian organizations pose significant threats to the viability of a two-state solution. Addressing the opening session of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, Guterres stated that “the occupation must end,” emphasizing the urgent need for international action.
One of the key issues Guterres highlighted was Israel’s recent announcement of a tender for 3,401 housing units in the E1 area of the West Bank. He expressed that if this project moves forward, it would disrupt the territorial continuity of the West Bank, effectively severing the northern and southern regions. Such actions, he remarked, would deliver “a severe blow” to the prospects for establishing a viable Palestinian state.
Concerns Over Humanitarian Access
The Chair of the Committee, Coly Seck, emphasized the significance of the New York Declaration and ongoing efforts toward a two-state solution, describing it as a potential historic turning point. He noted that the committee’s work reflects decades of injustice and called for tangible outcomes to address these longstanding issues.
The committee also addressed the detrimental impact of Israel’s recent deregistration of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Earlier in January, Israel revoked the licenses of 37 international NGOs, citing non-compliance with new registration requirements. As a result, organizations lacking renewed registration have faced severe restrictions, including denied staff rotations into and out of Gaza. This has led to interrupted relief programs and disrupted supply chains, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Speaking at the committee, the Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine, Dr. Riyad H. Mansour, lamented the humanitarian toll, reporting 70,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, “not counting those still under the rubble.” He also mentioned the displacement of over 40,000 people in the West Bank, underscoring the urgent need for international support and intervention.
Impact on UNRWA Operations
The Director of the New York Office of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Michael Contet, recently condemned the demolition of the Agency’s compound in occupied East Jerusalem by Israeli authorities. This demolition occurred amidst inflammatory remarks from Israeli official Aryeh King, who called for the annihilation of UNRWA staff.
In a related discussion, delegates in the UN Fourth Committee raised alarms over Israel’s “systematic disinformation campaign” against UNRWA, which included allegations of the employment of terrorists within the agency. The delegates characterized these claims as “extremist comments” and “baseless fallacies,” highlighting the damaging effects of such rhetoric on humanitarian efforts.
By January 2024, the ongoing armed conflict had reportedly impacted at least 312 UNRWA installations. Despite these challenges, about 11,000 UNRWA personnel continue to provide essential services in Gaza, delivering healthcare to nearly 100,000 Palestinians weekly and offering in-person education to over 66,000 students across 73 UNRWA shelters.
The collective warnings from Guterres, Seck, and Mansour reflect a deepening concern regarding the humanitarian situation in the region and the future of peace efforts. As the international community observes these developments, the call for decisive action to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people and support humanitarian access becomes increasingly urgent.
