The director of the operations and advocacy division at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Edem Wosornu, has publicly condemned the increasing violence in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.
During a UN Security Council session held on Wednesday to address the situation in the Palestinian territories, Wosornu described the crisis as marked by “brutality” that appears to “know no limits.” She reiterated the importance of recognizing the equal value of every human life in light of the latest developments affecting these regions.
The emergency session of the Security Council was convened at Israel’s request, with the backing of France, the UK, and the US, to discuss the plight of Israeli hostages.
In a separate initiative, Algeria called for discussions to focus specifically on the escalating situation in Gaza and the West Bank. Wosornu emphasized the critical need to uphold international humanitarian law, which aims to alleviate civilian suffering amid ongoing conflicts.
Highlighting the intense human cost of the crisis, Wosornu noted that the burden is disproportionately affecting civilians, saying, “The brutality of this conflict seems to know no limits.” She also pointed out the alarming trend of increasing attacks on humanitarian workers, revealing that at least 295 aid workers have lost their lives since October 7 of the previous year.
Furthermore, Wosornu cited instances in which UN vehicles were directly targeted by the Israeli military, despite prior notifications intended to prevent such incidents.
Reiterating her concerns from the previous week, she expressed profound alarm over the heavy toll inflicted on civilians as a result of intensified Israeli military operations in the West Bank, while also highlighting the obstacles that humanitarian organizations face in gaining access to affected areas due to restrictions imposed by Israeli forces.
Wosornu insisted that any use of force in the West Bank must adhere to international human rights law and established standards governing law enforcement operations. She raised concerns about tactics typically employed during wartime, stressing their inconsistency with these standards and potential excessive use of force.
Stressing that compliance with international humanitarian law is essential, Wosornu called upon the Security Council and its member states to leverage their influence in ensuring adherence to these laws. She urged for diplomatic pressure and accountability measures to be enacted in an effort to “end the suffering” and fulfill commitments to protect affected populations.
Complementing Wosornu’s statements, UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo also addressed the dire conditions on the ground, underscoring the rising death toll resulting from ongoing Israeli brutality in Gaza. DiCarlo expressed deep concern over the escalating violence not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
DiCarlo called on Israel, as the occupying power, to uphold its responsibility to safeguard the Palestinian populace against all forms of violence or threats. She warned that as time passes, the prospects for ending the occupation and achieving a sustainable two-state solution diminish.
Reaffirming the UN’s commitment, DiCarlo voiced support for the establishment of a peaceful resolution that enables Israel and a sovereign Palestinian state to coexist securely and peacefully, with Jerusalem serving as the capital for both nations.