UN Envoy Mladenov Urges Israel, Palestinians To Take 'Clear Action' In Gaza Amid Clashes

Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published October 18, 2018 | 10:07 PM

Israelis and Palestinians must take specific steps to reduce tensions in the Gaza Strip to avoid potentially grave consequences amid recent clashes, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace process Nickolay Mladenov told said on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th October, 2018) Israelis and Palestinians must take specific steps to reduce tensions in the Gaza Strip to avoid potentially grave consequences amid recent clashes, UN Special Coordinator for the middle East Peace process Nickolay Mladenov told said on Thursday.

"We must see clear action on both sides to deescalate the situation. Otherwise, the consequences will be terrible for everyone," Mladenov told the UN Security Council via teleconference.

On Wednesday, the Israeli Air Force attacked militants in the Gaza Strip in response to a Palestinian rocket shelling of the southern Israeli city of Be'er Sheva. The IAF killed at least one and injured three people in the attack.

Mladenov characterized the rocked launches "a dangerous provocation," but added that violent confrontations should be of great concern to all members of the UN Security Council and a reason to take action.

The Special Coordinator explained the situation on the ground is rapidly deteriorating and the two sides remain on the brink of another potentially devastating conflict.

Mladenov said the United Nations should make maximum effort to return Gaza under control of the legitimate Palestinian government and Israel should exercise maximum restraint from using military force.

Tensions between the Israelis and the Palestinians near the Israel-Gaza border have mounted since late March as disturbances grew caused by shelling by Hamas militants into Israeli territory and the Israel's heavy-handed responses.