{"id":251914,"date":"2021-05-17T14:54:38","date_gmt":"2021-05-17T18:54:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=251914"},"modified":"2021-05-18T15:02:42","modified_gmt":"2021-05-18T19:02:42","slug":"situation-in-gaza-and-israel-17-may-2021-daily-press-briefing-excerpts","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/situation-in-gaza-and-israel-17-may-2021-daily-press-briefing-excerpts\/","title":{"rendered":"Situation in Gaza and Israel \u2013 17 May 2021 Daily Press Briefing \u2013 (Excerpts)"},"content":{"rendered":"

17 MAY 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today\u2019s noon briefing by St\u00e9phane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.<\/p>\n

**Middle East<\/u><\/p>\n

Not surprisingly, we will start with the situation in Gaza and in Israel.<\/p>\n

Our colleagues on the ground in Gaza have reported continued Israeli air strikes on Gaza, as well as outgoing rocket and mortar fire by Palestinian groups into Israel.<\/p>\n

We continue to receive reports of significant displacement of Palestinians, with over 38,000\u00a0internally displaced people seeking protection in 48\u00a0schools run by UNRWA (Â鶹APP Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) across the Gaza Strip.\u00a0 Over 2,500\u00a0people have been made homeless due to the destruction of their homes.<\/p>\n

Forty-one education facilities \u2014 including schools, two kindergartens, an UNRWA vocational centre, and a higher education facility \u2014 have been damaged, according to our people on the ground.<\/p>\n

The power supply across Gaza has been reduced to six to eight hours per day, on average, with a number of feeder lines not functioning.\u00a0 That, in turn, disrupts the provision of health care and other basic services, including water, hygiene and sanitation.<\/p>\n

The Humanitarian Coordinator, our colleague, Lynn Hastings, has appealed to the Israeli authorities and Palestinian armed groups to immediately allow the UN and our humanitarian partners to bring in fuel, food, and medical supplies and to deploy humanitarian personnel in Gaza.\u00a0 All parties must always adhere to international humanitarian and human rights laws, she said.<\/p>\n

The World Food Programme (WFP) has started providing emergency assistance for more than 51,000\u00a0people in north Gaza in response to rising humanitarian needs.\u00a0 This is especially strong among families in that area.<\/p>\n

However, the closure of crossings into Gaza may soon cause a dearth of commodities, including food, and this is bound to push up food prices.\u00a0 WFP warns that prices of fresh produce are already on the rise, as farmers are unable to reach their land.<\/p>\n

We continue to actively engage all sides towards an immediate cessation of fire between Israelis and Palestinians.<\/p>\n

Our Special Coordinator, Tor Wennesland, is working tirelessly with all sides to restore calm.<\/p>\n

For his part, the Secretary-General, as you saw in yesterday\u2019s [Security Council] meeting, continues to\u00a0urge a halt to fighting<\/a>\u00a0in his remarks to the VTC (video teleconference)\u00a0meeting of the Security Council<\/a>\u00a0yesterday, saying, \u201cFighting must stop.\u00a0 It must stop immediately.\u00a0 Rockets and mortars on one side and aerial and artillery bombardments on the other must stop.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said that the hostilities have already caused unconscionable death, immense suffering and damage to vital infrastructure.\u00a0 The Secretary-General added that he was appalled by the increasingly large number of Palestinian civilian casualties, including many women and children, from Israeli strikes into Gaza.\u00a0 He said he also deplores Israeli fatalities from rockets launched from Gaza.<\/p>\n

\/…<\/p>\n

Tomorrow, at 11\u00a0a.m., in the Press Briefing Room, there will be a briefing by Ambassador Sofiane Mimouni, the Permanent Representative of Algeria and Chair of the Arab Group for the month of May.\u00a0 He will be joined by Ambassador Abdou Abarry, Permanent Representative of Niger and Chair of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for May.\u00a0 The two will be joined by Ambassador Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the UN.\u00a0 That will be in this room at 11.<\/p>\n

\/…<\/p>\n

Questions and Answers<\/u><\/p>\n

\/…<\/p>\n

Yes, Iftikhar.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Thank you, St\u00e9phane.\u00a0 In your opening remarks, you painted a very grim picture of the situation in Gaza, but please tell us, where do the Â鶹APP\u2019 diplomatic efforts to bring about de-escalation stand?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 We are continuing, through our Special Coordinator, to be in touch with all the relevant parties on the ground to try to, A, establish an immediate cessation of hostilities, a ceasefire, and also to be able to have humanitarian aid reach Gaza where it is most needed.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Any sign of progress?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Well, I think, sadly, Iftikhar, I think you can answer that question for yourself.\u00a0 We\u2019re seeing the situation on the ground.<\/p>\n

For some reason, I can\u2019t see the room.\u00a0 So, if there\u2019s a question in the room, take the mic.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Thank you, Steph.\u00a0 Thanks, Steph.\u00a0 It\u2019s Edie.\u00a0 A quick follow-up on what Iftikhar just asked, what has the Secretary-General himself been doing?\u00a0 He said yesterday that the UN was actively engaging all sides.\u00a0 Is he himself engaged in this process?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Yes, he has had a number of contacts, but contacts at different levels are being had.\u00a0 The focus right now is on the work that Mr.\u00a0Wennesland is doing, but the Secretary-General remains fully engaged in the situation with\u2026 as I said, with his contacts at various levels and especially speaking to Mr.\u00a0Wennesland.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 I have another\u2026 my question is about the media group Reporters Without Borders asking the International Criminal Court to investigate Israel\u2019s bombing of buildings housing the Associated Press and other media organizations in Gaza as a possible war crime.\u00a0 The media watchdog said, in a letter to the court\u2019s chief prosecutor, that the offices of 23\u00a0international and local media organizations had been destroyed over the past week.\u00a0 Does the Secretary-General support such an investigation?\u00a0 And what is his comment about the destruction of so many media organizations\u2019 offices?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Look, I\u2019m not going to comment on the ICC\u2026 on the call to the ICC.\u00a0 The Secretary-General was extremely disturbed to see the destruction of the media building.\u00a0 It is clear that journalists who operate in Gaza need to be able to do so without fear of harassment, of destruction of their offices and so forth.<\/p>\n

We don\u2019t have\u2026 and I think it would be very\u2026 we don\u2019t have any additional information about the incident, but I think it would be very important to elucidate what exactly happened.<\/p>\n

Okay.\u00a0 Again, I don\u2019t see\u2026 Sorry.\u00a0 [cross talk]<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 And what about a quick follow-up\u2026 a quick follow-up.\u00a0 I know you were just talking about the building that houses AP and Al\u00a0Jazeera, but what about Reporters Without Borders saying the offices of 23\u00a0international and local organizations have been destroyed?\u00a0 Shouldn\u2019t that be investigated also?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 I\u2026 completely, as well.\u00a0 I mean, I think nothing should be done to get in the way of journalists doing their work.<\/p>\n

All right.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Steph, can I\u2026<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Yes, go ahead, Toby.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Can I just follow up on\u2026<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Yes.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Thanks.\u00a0 Would\u2026 does the UN call on Israel to release the evidence that there were legitimate military targets in that building?\u00a0 Is that something that the UN needs to see from Israel?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Look, I think clarity should be had into exactly what happened.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 And then, just as long as I have the floor.\u00a0 [cross talk]<\/p>\n

….<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 St\u00e9phane, given the Secretary-General\u2019s been engaged on the Middle East situation and given he said that a unified statement from the Council would be helpful, I\u2019m wondering if you can give us any insight into any conversations he\u2019s had with the United States.\u00a0 It\u2019s very clear from China and other sources in the Security Council that it\u2019s the US that is resistant to this.\u00a0 Do you have any insight into what their objections are to the statements that are being proposed and what\u2019s his reaction to that?\u00a0 [cross talk]<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 No, nothing in\u2026<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Do you have any reaction to that?\u00a0 What is he saying to the United States?\u00a0 [cross talk]<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Okay.\u00a0 Nothing to\u2026 no insights that I\u2019m able to share with you at this point.\u00a0 I would restate the need for a very strong and unified voice from the Security Council, which we think would carry weight.<\/p>\n

Okay.\u00a0 Anybody else in the room?\u00a0 And then we\u2019ll go to the chat.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 I\u2019ve got one more on\u2026 can you\u2026<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Yeah.\u00a0 Go ahead, Toby.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Can you hear me, Steph?\u00a0 The US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, has asked\u2026 has said the US is doing quiet diplomacy, which does not sound like that\u2019s consistent with getting a unified voice out of the Security Council on this matter.\u00a0 Does the UN have a comment on that strategic difference?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 No, I\u2026 listen, it\u2019s not for me to comment on the strategic\u2026 on the choices that Member States make and how they engage in diplomacy.<\/p>\n

Betul, and then we\u2019ll go to Abdelhamid.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Hi, Steph.\u00a0 Can you hear me?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Perfectly.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Hi.\u00a0 Thank you.\u00a0 Steph, there\u2019s been also calls to set up an international protection mechanism for the Palestinian civilians, given the fact that there is no action from the Security Council following three meetings, and there is no de-escalation on the ground between the parties despite the Secretary-General\u2019s calls to end the fighting immediately.\u00a0 Is that something the Secretary-General would support, this international protection mechanism?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Well, our focus right now is on getting an immediate cessation of hostilities, [delivery] of any humanitarian aid and, obviously, trying to get a political process back on track.\u00a0 And I think, as the Secretary-General said in his remarks, the longer this conflict goes on, the longer this cycle goes on, the more difficult it is to get to where we want to be, which is a two-State solution.\u00a0 Everything should be done to protect civilians, Palestinian civilians that are under\u2026 in Gaza and all civilians.\u00a0 But it is also\u2026 in terms of any mechanism, I think that\u2019s something that we\u2019d have to see some sort of proposal from Member States.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Is that something he would support, because\u2026 [cross talk]<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 I think\u2026 We\u2019d have to see\u2026 there are all sorts of meeting reports.\u00a0 I think we\u2019d have to see what exactly is being proposed.<\/p>\n

Abdelhamid?<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Thank you, St\u00e9phane.\u00a0 I have two questions on the speeches given by both the Secretary-General and his Special Envoy, Mr.\u00a0Wennesland.\u00a0 Mr.\u00a0Wennesland said, \u201cin response to Hamas firing rockets,\u201d so\u2026 \u201cIsrael start bombardment\u201d. \u00a0So, he gave the\u2026 he was apologetic for Israel.\u00a0 He gave excuse for Israel, when he knows and you know and everyone knows it wasn\u2019t like that; it started in the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.\u00a0 That\u2019s the whole episode started.\u00a0 Why he has to say, \u201cin response to Hamas firing rockets, Israel started bombardment\u201d?\u00a0 That means there is a reason for its right to destroy Gaza?\u00a0 Right?\u00a0 My\u2026<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 I\u2026 you can do the analysis of his\u2026 [cross talk]<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 It\u2019s not analysis\u2026<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 No, no, Abdelhamid, let me finish.\u00a0 You\u2019re free to do the analysis.\u00a0 He reported on a certain amount of time.\u00a0 I mean, I think we can all spend a long time about who started what and when.\u00a0 For us, we\u2019re trying to be looking in the immediate\u2026 what the immediate needs, and that is a halt to the aerial bombardment and to the artillery into Gaza, a halt of the rockets and the mortars coming out of Gaza.<\/p>\n

And your second question?<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 I am just\u2026 again, I don\u2019t want you to answer, but I\u2019m just questioning the sequence of events, which it didn\u2019t start by firing on.<\/p>\n

My second question about the speech of the Secretary-General, he kept calling on both parties, both parties are calling in them.\u00a0 So, he put it like on equal footing, both, a very strong power for a State, a nuclear State like Israel, with air force, with airports, with so much firepower, equal with those militias who are firing primitive rockets.\u00a0 When he calls on both sides, that means they are on equal footing.\u00a0 That\u2019s my\u2026 again my question.\u00a0 Why he doesn\u2019t\u2026<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 I\u2026 again, I think what \u201cboth sides\u201d implies is that, on one hand, we are seeing aerial bombardment and artillery from Israel.\u00a0 On the other hand, we\u2019re seeing groups like Hamas and others fire rockets and mortars into Israel.\u00a0 So, it\u2019s not a question of equal\u2026 the question that two\u2026 there are two sides that are firing at each other, and that\u2019s what the sentence is about.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 So, is killing two children equal to killing 51\u00a0children, St\u00e9phane?\u00a0 [cross talk]<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 I\u2019m not\u2026\u00a0 Abdelhamid, I\u2019m not going to get into a distressing and morbid body count.\u00a0 The child of one\u2026 the life of one child is the life of one child.<\/p>\n

Correspondent<\/u>:\u00a0 I do agree with you.<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 And each child has a right to live in peace and security, no matter where that child is born.<\/p>\n

\/…<\/p>\n

For information media. Not an official record.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

17 MAY 2021 Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today\u2019s noon briefing by St\u00e9phane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General. **Middle East Not surprisingly, we will start with the situation in Gaza and in Israel. Our colleagues on the ground in Gaza have […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":172,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"template-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[],"document-category":[2573],"document-source":[5352,6169,2109],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[2517,1769,1945,5358,2057,2005,2533,5200,1857,2613,2385,2729,6245,2273],"entity":[1729],"document-language":[],"class_list":["post-251914","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","document-category-highlights-of-the-noon-briefing","document-source-secretary-general","document-source-united-nations-department-of-global-communications","document-source-world-food-programme-wfp","document-subject-access-and-movement","document-subject-armed-conflict","document-subject-assistance","document-subject-ClosuresCurfewsBlockades","document-subject-food","document-subject-gaza-strip","document-subject-health","document-subject-humanitarian-relief","document-subject-incidents","document-subject-internally-displaced-persons","document-subject-security-issues","document-subject-shelter","document-subject-violence","document-subject-water","entity-united-nations-system"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/251914","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\/172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/251914\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=251914"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=251914"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=251914"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=251914"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=251914"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=251914"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=251914"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=251914"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}