Conflict is likely to once again engulf Gaza if a deal on the return of the Palestinian Authority to the Hamas-controlled enclave fails, the UN envoy for the Middle East warned yesterday.
Addressing the Security Council on the eve of talks in Cairo between Palestinian factions, UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov said the Egyptian-led “process must not be allowed to fail.”
“If it does, it will most likely result in another devastating conflict,” warned Mladenov.
Leaders from 13 factions including Gaza’s rulers Hamas and the West Bank-based Fatah will meet today in Egypt to discuss modalities for the return of the Palestinian Authority.
Under the unity deal signed last month, the Palestinian Authority is to resume full control of the Gaza Strip by December 1.
At the weekend, the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza was reopened after the Palestinian Authority took control of the crossing for the first time since 2007.
“Two million Palestinians in Gaza have high hopes that the government’s return will improve their lives,” said Mladenov.
“After living in abject misery under Hamas control and locked in by the closures, their situation is close to exploding.”
Mladenov also expressed concern about a row between the United States and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation over the PLO’s office in Washington.
The US State Department has refused to renew the permission for the PLO office to operate in Washington, prompting PLO leaders to threaten a freeze on ties with the US administration.
Addressing the dispute, Mladenov said: “Only through constructive dialogue can we hope to advance peace and I call on all parties to remain engaged.”
Palestinian students shout outside the Rafah border crossing with Egypt before being allowed to pass out of the southern Gaza Strip yesterday.
