Amid a rise of violence in Israel and the occupied West Bank, the UN special co-ordinator for the Middle East Peace Process said the long-simmering conflict was reaching a “boiling point”.
Tor Wennesland told the UN Security Council on Monday that “high level of violence in the occupied West Bank and Israel in recent months including attacks against Israeli and Palestinian civilians, increase use of arms and settler related violence have caused grave human suffering”.
Mr Wennesland’s comments come days after two bombs exploded at bus stops in Jerusalem, killing a teenage boy and injuring at least 18.
Israeli police believe the bombings were a “combined terror attack”.
Last week, in the West Bank city of Nablus, Israeli soldiers killed a 16-year-old boy, bringing the death toll for Palestinians to more than 130, the deadliest year there since 2004.
Twenty-eight Israelis have also been killed this year.
Mr Wennesland condemned the violence on both sides, as did the US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
“Amid these heightened tensions, it is all the more critical that Israelis and Palestinians refrain from unilateral actions including settlement activity, evictions and the demolition of Palestinian homes, incitement to violence such as payments to the families of terrorists, and disruption of the historic status quo of holy sites,” said Ms Thomas-Greenfield.
Mr Wennesland called for “urgent steps” to be taken to bring the two countries closer to a two-state solution.
“The violence must stop,” he said. “This surge of violence in the occupied Palestinian territories is taking place in the context of a stalled peace process and entrenched occupation.”
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Palestinians search a house to retrieve the bodies of three Palestinians killed by Israeli troops during a raid in the West Bank city of Nablus. EPA -
Palestinians inspect a building damaged during clashes with Israeli forces in Nablus. Reuters -
Palestinians carry the body of Islam Sabouh. Israeli police said forces encircled the home of Ibrahim Al Nabulsi, who they say was wanted for a string of shootings in the West Bank earlier this year, and that Al Nabulsi and Sabouh were killed in a shootout. AP Photo -
Palestinians evacuate the bodies of three Palestinians killed by Israeli troops. EPA -
Palestinians grieve for those killed during the raid. EPA -
Palestinians clash with Israeli troops. EPA -
A Palestinian protester runs during clashes with Israeli security forces' vehicles. AFP -
Protesters hurl rocks at Israeli security forces' vehicles. AFP -
A wounded man is carried during the clashes with Israeli troops. EPA -
Palestinian health officials said three people were killed and at least 40 people wounded in the gun battle. AP Photo -
Smoke rises above buildings during the Israeli army operation in Nablus. AP Photo
