Current Situation in Gaza – Daily Press Briefing by SecGen Spokesman (excerpts)

• The UN remains deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza, particularly the reports of fatalities and injured civilians during last Friday’s demonstrations.
• The UN reiterates its call on all sides to refrain from any act that could lead to further casualties and, in particular, any measures that could place civilians in harm’s way.
• The Special Coordinator, Nickolay Mladenov, remains in contact with pertinent interlocutors to have a full picture of events, including reported Palestinian attempts to bridge the fence and alleged IED attempts throughout the weekend. He has visited Gaza today.
• As the Secretary-General has pointed out, the current situation underlines the urgency of revitalizing the peace process aiming at creating the conditions for a return to meaningful negotiations for a peaceful solution.
• Meanwhile, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian territory, Jamie McGoldrick, warned on Friday that Gaza’s health sector is struggling to deal with the mass influx of casualties. An estimated $2 million is urgently needed in the short term for medicine, medical disposables, laboratory materials and other supplies for emergency care, while $20 million is required in 2018 to meet urgent health needs.

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