{"id":206279,"date":"2008-01-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-12T19:08:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?p=206279"},"modified":"2019-03-12T19:08:53","modified_gmt":"2019-03-12T19:08:53","slug":"auto-insert-206279","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/auto-insert-206279\/","title":{"rendered":"Gaza crisis\/Humanitarian relief &#8211; Highlights of noon briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for SecGen (excerpts)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div>\n<p style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\">\n<hr height=\"7px\" \/>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\">\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" background=\"#000000\" width=\"100%\" style=\"text-align:left;margin-left:initial;margin-right:auto;\">\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100%\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border-color:#000000;border-style:solid;border-top-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;\">\n<div style=\"color:#000000;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">\n<p style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><strong>HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"color:#000000;text-align:center;padding-top:10px;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">\n<p style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><strong>BY MARIE OKABE<br \/>\nDEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"color:#000000;text-align:center;padding-top:10px;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">\n<p style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><strong>Wednesday, January 23, 2008<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"color:#000000;text-align:left;padding-top:10px;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">\n<p style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\">\/&#8230;<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"color:#000000;text-align:center;padding-top:10px;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">\n<p style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><strong>NEW SECURITY MEASURES HAMPER AID DELIVERY IN GAZA<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\">\n<li style=\"text-align:left;\"><span style=\"color:#000000;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.un.org\/unrwa\/\" style=\"color:#0033cc;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\"><\/a><span style=\"color:#000000;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">) today reports that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains very difficult. <br \/>\n&#160; <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"color:#000000;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">According to UNRWA, the Israeli authorities have introduced new security measures &#8211; mainly for sugar and flour &#8211; which are hampering the delivery of aid. The agency did manage to get three truckloads of powdered milk in today, but it had been hoping for 9. In addition, an expected truckload of medicines never made it through. <br \/>\n&#160; <\/li>\n<li style=\"color:#000000;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">On a positive note, however, UNRWA did receive materials today that will allow it to continue its food distributions.<br \/>\n&#160; <\/li>\n<li style=\"color:#000000;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">Regarding fuel, UNRWA says only 200,000 liters went to the main power plant in Gaza today. An additional 750,000 liters went yesterday. This falls well short of the 2.2 million liters promised by the Israeli authorities. If the current fuel levels continue, the power plant may shut down by the end of the week, UNRWA adds.<br \/>\n&#160; <\/li>\n<li style=\"color:#000000;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">Asked about reports that thousands of Gaza residents have traveled across the Rafah crossing today into Egypt, the Spokeswoman said that the incident underscores how serious and fragile the situation in Gaza remains at this moment. <br \/>\n&#160; <\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align:left;\"><span style=\"color:#000000;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">She noted that on Tuesday, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe had <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/unispal.un.org\/pdfs\/93F694F48B5D651D852573D9004A8D08.pdf\" style=\"color:#0000ff;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">expressed<\/a><span style=\"color:#000000;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"color:#000000;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">his detailed concerns over the situation, including his call for regular and unimpeded delivery of fuel and other basic necessities.<br \/>\n&#160; <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"color:#000000;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">She added that, at the press conference in Geneva today, the Secretary-General was asked about the situation in Gaza and the Rafah crossing. He said it was a very serious situation, and that he was deeply concerned. <br \/>\n&#160; <\/li>\n<li style=\"color:#000000;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">Okabe added that the Secretary-General said that he had taken his own efforts to address the issue, to help ease the tensions as well as the humanitarian suffering of the people in Gaza. He said he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert just before departing New York, and&#160; had urged him strongly to ease the restrictions on the crossing and to provide the necessary fuel.<br \/>\n&#160; <\/li>\n<li style=\"color:#000000;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">The Spokeswoman added that the Secretary-General called on the parties to resolve outstanding issues peacefully through dialogue. He said he hoped Israel did not pursue the collective punishment of the general public, and also called for a halt to rocket fire against Israel. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"color:#000000;text-align:center;padding-top:10px;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">\n<p style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\">&#160;<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"color:#000000;text-align:center;padding-top:10px;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">\n<p style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><strong>HUMAN RIGHTS DIMENSION OF ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT<br \/>\n&#160;MUST BE ADDRESSED<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\">\n<li style=\"color:#000000;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">Today in Geneva, the Human Rights Council began a special session on the occupied Palestinian territory. A draft resolution is being considered. The session is expected to continue into tomorrow.<br \/>\n&#160; <\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align:left;\"><span style=\"color:#000000;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">Addressing the special session today, High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/unispal.un.org\/pdfs\/9AE1B4C533C2B294852573D9006D0BC4.pdf\" style=\"color:#0000ff;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">said<\/a><span style=\"color:#000000;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"color:#000000;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">that, unless broader steps were taken, both by the parties to the conflict and by the international community, the situation for Palestinians and Israelis could only continue to deteriorate. All parties concerned should put an end to the vicious spiral of violence before it becomes unstoppable, she said. <br \/>\n&#160; <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"color:#000000;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">Arbour stressed that the international community must intensify its efforts to ensure that the human rights dimension of the conflict is properly addressed, regardless of the development of a political settlement. She said it is imperative that Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas respect the long-standing international legal obligations to which they are bound. We have her full remarks upstairs. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<div style=\"color:#000000;text-align:center;padding-top:10px;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">\n<p style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><strong>SECURITY COUNCIL WILL MEET ON SITUATION IN GAZA<br \/>\nAFTER EXTENDING U.N. MISSION IN NEPAL<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\">\n<li style=\"color:#000000;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">The Security Council this morning extended by six months the mandate of the UN Mission in Nepal.<br \/>\n&#160; <\/li>\n<li style=\"color:#000000;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">Then, at 3:00 this afternoon, the Security Council resumed consultations on the Middle East, to continue discussions on a draft Presidential Statement concerning the situation in Gaza. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"color:#000000;text-align:left;padding-top:10px;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">\n<p style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\">&#160;\/&#8230;<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<div style=\"color:#000000;text-align:center;padding-top:10px;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman, serif;\">\n<p style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><strong>Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General<br \/>\nÂ鶹APP, S-378<br \/>\nNew York, NY 10017<br \/>\nTel. 212-963-7162<br \/>\nFax. 212-963-7055<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY MARIE OKABE DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON Wednesday, January 23, 2008 \/&#8230; NEW SECURITY MEASURES HAMPER AID DELIVERY IN GAZA The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) today reports that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains very difficult. &#160; According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/auto-insert-206279\/\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[],"document-category":[2197,2573],"document-source":[5352,1897],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[2005,5200,2021,1797],"entity":[1729],"document-language":[6542],"class_list":["post-206279","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","document-category-briefing","document-category-highlights-of-the-noon-briefing","document-source-secretary-general","document-source-united-nations-department-of-public-information-dpi","document-subject-gaza-strip","document-subject-humanitarian-relief","document-subject-incursions","document-subject-peace-process","entity-united-nations-system","document-language-english"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/206279","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/206279\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=206279"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=206279"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=206279"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=206279"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=206279"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=206279"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=206279"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=206279"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}