New Delhi: India's foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Monday during his address at the UNSC monthly meeting on the Middle East Peace Process, including on the Palestinian Question, called on Palestine and Israel to respect the ceasefire and exercise restraint. Speaking at the council meeting, Foreign Secretary Shringla said, "We are concerned by the recent escalation in the Gaza Strip, which once again underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the urgent need for addressing the underlying causes that have triggered the escalation."
"We call on all parties to the conflict to respect the ceasefire and refrain from acts that could exacerbate tensions and worsen the security situation. We recognize the efforts made by the UN and regional countries to prevent the hostilities from escalating into another military conflict", he added.
Read: Harsh V Shringla presides over unanimous adoption of 3 imp mandate extensions of UNSC Resolutions
He further reaffirmed India’s call for the regular and predictable transfer of aid and other essential items to Gaza to ease the humanitarian situation and facilitate early reconstruction, as well as for appropriate use of such aid.
Shringla asserted that it is also important that the international donor community supports the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip through the Palestinian Authority.
"We take note of the incremental relaxation of restrictions for entry of commodities into the Gaza Strip and urge the parties to work together to ensure timely access to such relief for the Palestinians. This would create conditions that will help in preventing another round of escalation", he pointed.
The recent agreement for the resumption of cash assistance to needy Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip is an important development as it would provide much-needed relief for these families.
He also went on to appreciate the work of agencies like OCHA, UNRWA, WFP to ensure the delivery of critical aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The West Bank continues to witness incidents of violence and clashes between the Palestinians and Israeli security forces. Both sides must desist from provocative action in the interest of peace and stability, he told the Security Council.
"We note the progress in the legal challenge to the eviction of Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah and underscore the need for respecting the historic status quo in East Jerusalem and its neighbourhoods", said Shringla, adding that India urge parties to refrain from unilateral actions that undermine the viability of the two-State solution.
He also welcomed the decision by Israel to increase the number of work permits issued to Palestinians which "will help strengthen both the Palestinian and Israeli economies" and recognition of COVID-vaccination certificates issued by the Palestinian Authority and the facilitation of passage of patients from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank which he described as "positive signals".
He reiterated that India’s development cooperation with Palestine is also geared towards this objective. It is worth noting that India has helped in building schools, setting up ICT and Vocational Training Centres, a Technology Park and a National Printing Press; and are supporting several other quick-impact community projects in Palestine.
Read: UNSC not holding discussions on sending UN peacekeeping mission to Afghanistan: Source
High-level interaction between Israel and Palestine contributes to a better environment for the resumption of direct peace negotiations. During his address, Shringla hoped for early commencement of the negotiations between the two sides, as they provide the best opportunity to resolve all final status issues and achieve a two-state solution.
"Given our long-standing and firm commitment to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, within secure, recognized and mutually agreed on borders, living side by side with Israel in peace and security, India will remain fully supportive of all efforts to restart the peace process", Shringla highlighted at the council.
India is the President of the UNSC for August and has been addressing the council on various issues including counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, the Palestinian issue and the fast-evolving situation in Afghanistan. India will be the president of the top UN body next in December 2022.
