The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, has emphasised the urgent need for political and security frameworks to tackle the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
In a recent briefing he expressed deep concern over escalating tensions in the region, highlighted by recent explosions in Lebanon and rocket fire towards Israel.
Wennesland called on all parties to refrain from actions that could further escalate the situation, urging immediate steps for de-escalation.
He stressed that frameworks are essential to address the humanitarian catastrophe, initiate recovery efforts, rebuild Gaza, and lay the groundwork for a political process aimed at ending the occupation and establishing a two-State solution.
He highlighted the importance of facilitating a legitimate Palestinian government capable of reuniting Gaza and the West Bank politically and administratively.
Wennesland pointed out that Palestinian unity is crucial for achieving a just and lasting peace, urging the international community to provide significant support to the Palestinian Authority.
Wennesland also reaffirmed that any progress toward peace must fully recognise the rights of Palestinians to self-determination and sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory while also addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns.
British police were questioning five men on Monday on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after they were detained near an air base that has been used by the US to strike Iran.
Thousands sheltered on Monday in evacuation centres in the Thai capital, parts of it still flooded after havoc brought by intense weekend rain, while swelling reservoirs in an eastern province triggered orders for more to leave their homes.
Heavy rain and storms have triggered floods and landslides that killed 56 people in India, while in Nepal, 14 have died and another 11 are missing, with authorities warning on Sunday that more flash floods are possible.
The death toll from an Indonesian ship that capsized earlier this month rose to 66 as of Monday, as divers braved leaking fuel and dangerously unsound structures to find the 69 passengers still missing on the 16th day of the search.
The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen above 8,000 for the first time in the Central African country's ongoing outbreak, government data showed on Monday.