{"id":251989,"date":"2021-05-18T16:19:31","date_gmt":"2021-05-18T20:19:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=251989"},"modified":"2021-05-19T15:12:23","modified_gmt":"2021-05-19T19:12:23","slug":"situation-in-gaza-18-may-2021-daily-press-briefing-excerpts","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/situation-in-gaza-18-may-2021-daily-press-briefing-excerpts\/","title":{"rendered":"Situation in Gaza \u2013 18 May 2021 Daily Press Briefing \u2013 (Excerpts)"},"content":{"rendered":"

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC<\/strong><\/p>\n

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANT\u00d3NIO GUTERRES<\/strong><\/p>\n

TUESDAY, 18 MAY\u00a02021<\/strong><\/p>\n

\/…<\/p>\n

MIDDLE EAST<\/strong>
\nRosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, told a UN forum on the question of Palestine this morning that the recent\u00a0fighting has\u00a0now\u00a0claimed more than two hundred civilian lives, including children. The suffering, damage and destruction are immense, she said.<\/p>\n

Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo said the UN has been actively involved in mediation efforts with all sides with a view to ending the violence immediately. She echoed the Secretary-General\u2019s call on the parties to allow for the intensification of mediation efforts, which are also critical for delivering much needed humanitarian aid to the affected people in Gaza. She commended the Member States who have intensified their diplomatic efforts to bring the parties back from the brink.<\/p>\n

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY<\/strong>
\nOn the humanitarian situation, the opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing today has allowed dozens of fuel trucks from UNRWA to enter Gaza. Regrettably,\u00a0other\u00a0essential humanitarian cargo was unable to cross.<\/p>\n

It is critical that the Erez crossing is also opened for the entry and exit of critical humanitarian staff.
\nHumanitarian access into and out of Gaza for staff and goods must be sustained and appropriate measures taken to ensure safe movement within Gaza.<\/p>\n

Overnight, the U.N. received extremely worrying reports of additional civilian infrastructure being hit in Gaza, including the central COVID-19 testing lab and other health and humanitarian facilities.<\/p>\n

In addition, the U.N. continues to receive reports of significant displacement of Palestinians within the Gaza strip. More than 58,000 men, women and children have been displaced, 47,000 of whom are seeking protection in some 58 UNRWA schools across Gaza.<\/p>\n

And, as far as the security situation allows, the UN, along with its partners, provide food and non-food items to displaced families, and immediate cash assistance to more than 56,000 people.<\/p>\n

\/…<\/p>\n

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

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Thank you very much, Steph.\u00a0 When you say that the Secretary\u2011General and the UN is actively trying to get both sides to allow the intensification of efforts at mediating a ceasefire, what exactly does intensification mean?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Intensification means putting more effort into trying to find a way to get a ceasefire, to get a lull in the fighting so we can get more humanitarian goods in.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 So, does that mean that, currently, whatever efforts are going on by the UN are not considered\u2026 what should I say\u2026 enough or at a minimum level and not serious enough?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Well, listen, I don’t think\u2026 no one’s putting in doubt the seriousness of the discussions.\u00a0 What\u2026 I mean, we can all watch the news.\u00a0 We see that the fighting\u2026 the exchange of fire is continuing.\u00a0 So, there are a number of Member States who are highly involved in this.\u00a0 We’re involved in this.\u00a0 I think we all need to intensify our work so we get to the point where we want to be.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 [Inaudible]?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 You may.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Thank you so much.\u00a0 Could you tell us with whom the UN is contacting, whom you are dealing with, whom you’re trying to push further for more mediation? \u00a0What countries, which\u2026?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 I mean, Mr.\u00a0[Tor] Wennesland is in touch with all the relevant parties on the ground.\u00a0 He’s also talking to his Quartet partners.\u00a0 We’re talking to other Member States.\u00a0 The Secretary\u2011General is also making phone calls and will continue to do that.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Did he contact the Israelis or Palestinians?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Sorry? \u00a0Mr.\u00a0Wennesland is in touch with both\u2026?<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 No, I’m asking about the SG, if he\u2026?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 The discussions on ground right now are focussed on\u2026 are led by Mr.\u00a0Wennesland in speaking to the parties.\u00a0 Sorry. \u00a0I didn’t think I would have to prompt all of you.\u00a0 Yeah.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Just a follow\u2011up on the humanitarian situation, you said other supplies weren’t allowed in.\u00a0 Can you give us more detail on what isn’t being allowed in and where that leaves the humanitarian efforts?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Yeah, I mean, the reason the other trucks\u2026 yeah, the reason the other trucks were not allowed in is because of\u2026 we were advised by the Israelis, because of security situation.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 [Inaudible]?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 It was\u2026 my understanding is it was food, non\u2011food items, but we got\u2026 the fuel trucks are really a critical\u2026 the fuel is critical for Gaza.\u00a0 Betul? \u00a0I’ll come back to you, Abdelhamid.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Steph, just to clarify on the humanitarian situation, does that mean that parties of Israel or Hamas are preventing, or is it because the fighting is going on? \u00a0What prevents it?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 We were advised by the Israelis that, because of the security situation, the additional trucks we wanted to go through were not able to go through.\u00a0 That’s what I can tell you.\u00a0 I mean, there is, obviously, a continuing of fire, but that’s the reason we were given.\u00a0 We can’t push our way through, so\u2026\u00a0sidi rais<\/em>?<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Sidi rais<\/em>.\u00a0 Thank you.\u00a0 After the ceasefire and once the dust has settled, does the UN have any plans of taking part in reconstructions, or are you going to leave it to others?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 There will be a great need for reconstruction of the infrastructure that was destroyed in Gaza.\u00a0 The Palestinian people will need the help of the international community, the financial help of the international community.\u00a0 We will get involved in it as much as we can.\u00a0 Yes, go ahead.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Thank you, Steph.\u00a0 My colleague just actually asked most of the question I wanted to ask, but you mentioned the international community would be involved in rebuilding Gaza.\u00a0 Is there any particular country or organization that will be contributing to this, the rebuilding?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 No, what I said is that the Palestinians would need the help of the international community.\u00a0 I think let’s\u2026 sadly, this is not the first time we’re at this situation.\u00a0 In the past, it has been bilateral donors.\u00a0 It has also been through multilateral channels, so I don’t expect it to be different, but our focus right now is on stopping the casualties.\u00a0 Toby?<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Thanks, Steph.\u00a0 What does the Secretary\u2011General want from the Security Council now? \u00a0They’re having a fourth meeting on a ceasefire\u2026 or on some kind of statement, and we still have not even a basic statement on the protection of civilians.\u00a0 I mean, what can he use from them to do his job better?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 What I\u2026 I think I answered the same question yesterday, a strong unified voice from the Security Council, for us, we believe, will carry weight in order to see a halt to the fighting.<\/p>\n

\/…<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Thanks, St\u00e9phane.\u00a0 So, today, the Secretary of State of the United States said they are trying to work in a ceasefire to try to get to that point.\u00a0 Is the United States getting more active trying to work here at the Security Council? \u00a0As he mentioned, we haven’t seen a cohesive result from the meetings.\u00a0 Is that something that the Secretary-General\u2026 maybe gets a heads\u2011up from the Secretary of State?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 The Secretary\u2011General has been in touch with the US Permanent Representative, but I will leave it to the US to qualify its involvement and its work.\u00a0 I mean, as you know, the Security Council will be meeting, discussing this in closed consultations.\u00a0 Let’s see what comes out.\u00a0 Mario, and then I’ll come back to the room.<\/p>\n

\/…<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Thank you again.\u00a0 Do you know if the Secretary\u2011General will be addressing the GA on Thursday?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Yes, he will be addressing the GA, and we’ll share those remarks with you beforehand.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Yeah.\u00a0 Are you aware that Egypt has contributed\u2026 pledged to contribute half a billion dollars for the reconstruction of Gaza?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 No, I had not seen that, but we, obviously, welcome it.\u00a0 Okay.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 And this\u2026 my question, you still call it fighting; you call on both sides.\u00a0 Does the SG see what is exactly happening in Gaza? \u00a0There is a powerful State with a powerful army bombarding a small area of\u00a0100\u2026 344\u00a0kilometres, day in and day night from sea, land and air, and civilians are dying by the minute.\u00a0 Does he see that? \u00a0It’s not an equal\u2026 two equal parties.<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 The Secretary\u2011General is very clear eyed, and he sees exactly what is happening, and that’s why he’s doing all he can, and he’s instructed his Special Coordinator to do all he can to put an immediate stop to this fighting.\u00a0 And that’s why we’re trying to help as many people as possible.\u00a0 Toby and then Betul.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 [Inaudible]?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Did he an\u2026 I answered your question?<\/p>\n

Correspondent<\/u>:\u00a0 [Inaudible].<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Oh, that’s very nice.\u00a0 Toby?<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Thanks, Steph.\u00a0 A question about the humanitarian situation again.\u00a0 We’ve got about 50,000\u00a0people hiding in or taking shelter in schools.\u00a0 Is UNRWA\u2026 were these facilities designed to do this? Is this a\u2026 is this safe, really? \u00a0I mean, what does that look like?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 The facilities were not designed to do this, but, sadly, these facilities have done this numerous times in the past.\u00a0 Right.\u00a0 It’s place where people can try to find food, can find shelter, but it is\u2026 it won’t be safe until we see the fighting stop.\u00a0 Go ahead.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 I’m sorry.\u00a0 Did you receive any explanation of the Israeli attacks on these schools, some of the schools?\u00a0 And second thing is, I know you’ll\u2026 you said in the beginning of the pandemic that you take your cue from the city and authorities, and now they’re changing the mask policy.\u00a0 Do you envisage a change here\u2026?<\/p>\n

\/…<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 The schools?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Sorry.\u00a0 Sorry.\u00a0 What? \u00a0On the schools, our UNRWA colleagues, I know, are doing whatever they can.\u00a0 We’ll try to get some information from them.\u00a0 Yes, please, go ahead.<\/p>\n

\/…<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Steph, thank you.\u00a0 One last question on Gaza.\u00a0 As far as we know, the only centre for COVID testing in Gaza has also been targeted, and many people’s [inaudible] are packed now in schools and they’re seeking shelters in schools.\u00a0 Is the UN concerned about the number of COVID cases, when you have people staying in the same schools and when the only centre for COVID testing is bombed?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Of course.\u00a0 Of course.\u00a0 We’ve seen a number of medical\u2026 health facilities being destroyed.\u00a0 All of this is happening in a situation where we know in Gaza, the humanitarian situation even before this latest round of fighting was not good, to say the least.\u00a0 Access to vaccines was very challenging.\u00a0 So, this only makes things worse.\u00a0 Okay.<\/p>\n

Correspondent<\/u>:\u00a0 St\u00e9phane, St\u00e9phane, I have a question.\u00a0 I put it up on the chat line here, very quick question\u2026<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Go ahead, Joe.\u00a0 Might as well.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Very\u2026 thank you.\u00a0 Do you know whether UNRWA has, in the safety of all concerned, checked to make sure that all of the schools are not currently housing any rockets or any tunnels have been built underneath the schools? \u00a0And if you don’t know, would you be able to find out? \u00a0Thank you.<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Well, I mean, you can always reach out to UNRWA.\u00a0 What I can tell you is that UN facilities should never be used to house military or security activities, and they need to be protected at all times.\u00a0 Thank you.<\/p>\n

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

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANT\u00d3NIO GUTERRES TUESDAY, 18 MAY\u00a02021 \/… MIDDLE EAST Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, told a UN forum on the question of Palestine this morning that the recent\u00a0fighting has\u00a0now\u00a0claimed more than two hundred civilian lives, including children. The suffering, damage and […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":172,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"template-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[810,2553],"document-category":[2573],"document-source":[1365,2329,5352,1362,6169,6158,1817,1877],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[2517,1769,1945,1829,2033,2405,5358,2057,2005,2533,1741,5200,1857,2349,3589,2309,1638,2385,6245],"entity":[],"document-language":[],"class_list":["post-251989","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","country-egypt","country-united-states-of-america","document-category-highlights-of-the-noon-briefing","document-source-general-assembly","document-source-quartet","document-source-secretary-general","document-source-security-council","document-source-united-nations-department-of-global-communications","document-source-united-nations-department-of-political-and-peacebuilding-affairs","document-source-united-nations-relief-and-works-agency-for-palestine-refugees-in-the-near-east-unrwa","document-source-united-nations-special-coordinator-for-the-middle-east-peace-process-unsco","document-subject-access-and-movement","document-subject-armed-conflict","document-subject-assistance","document-subject-casualties","document-subject-children","document-subject-closure-of-institutions","document-subject-ClosuresCurfewsBlockades","document-subject-food","document-subject-gaza-strip","document-subject-health","document-subject-human-rights-and-international-humanitarian-law","document-subject-humanitarian-relief","document-subject-incidents","document-subject-living-conditions","document-subject-population","document-subject-protection","document-subject-quartet","document-subject-security-issues","document-subject-violence"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/251989","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\/251989\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=251989"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=251989"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=251989"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=251989"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=251989"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=251989"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=251989"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=251989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}