UN warns that two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians is "fading"

2025-02-26 20:29:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

UN warns that two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians is

The United Nations' top Middle East official warned on Tuesday that the chances of achieving a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians are fading.

“People in the region can emerge from this period in peace, security and dignity,” Sigrid Kaag, special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, told a meeting of the United Nations Security Council. “However, this may be our last chance to achieve a two-state solution.”

Later, she told reporters that the impacts of the conflict, the situation in Gaza, Israeli settlement expansion and threats to annex the West Bank are pushing a two-state solution further away.

"So my point is to remind the council that statements are one thing, but what we need is action," she said. "And that is the two-state solution, because it is a feasible solution, geographically, but it is fading before our eyes. And this solution cannot be achieved with words alone. It requires political commitment and active diplomacy," she said.

In the Council, Ms. Kaag expressed concern about the expansion of Israeli military operations in the West Bank, which began on January 21, particularly in Jenin, Tubas and Tulkarm.

Ceasefire in Gaza

Ms. Kaag said that in Gaza, the three-phase ceasefire agreement must be implemented; the release of hostages must be carried out, and the resumption of fighting must be avoided at all costs.

“I call on both sides to fully respect their commitments to the ceasefire agreement and to conclude negotiations for the second phase,” she said. “I commend the mediating countries, Egypt, Qatar and the United States, for their determined work in achieving the first phase of the ceasefire and their efforts regarding the second phase,” she stressed.

The acting United States ambassador said that President Trump's administration is continuing to work to ensure the full implementation of the agreement.

"Hamas continues to hold 63 hostages, including New Jersey-born citizen Idan Alexander and the remains of four Americans who were killed by Hamas in Gaza," said Ambassador Dorothy Shea, referring to the Hamas group, designated by the United States as a terrorist organization.

"As long as Hamas remains a force that can govern, that can administer, or that can threaten to use violence, peace becomes impossible," she said. "Hamas must be eliminated. It must disappear."

The Israeli ambassador agreed, saying that Israel will continue to act.

"We will not be deterred. We will eliminate Hamas," Danny Danon told the Council members. "Believe me when I say it. We will return the people to their homeland and we will guarantee the security and future of Israel."

Asked further whether achieving this goal would involve resuming fighting, Ambassador Danon told reporters that was a possibility, but that other options were being discussed. He cited as an example an agreement under which Palestine Liberation Organization fighters fled Lebanon to Tunisia after Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982, in pursuit of them.

"But in the end, there will be no more Hamas in Gaza," he said.

Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour expressed concern that the first phase of the ceasefire is expected to end in a few days and so far there is no secure agreement for the second phase.

“For the United States, concluding this agreement and implementing it is about hostages. But is it the same for Israel?” Mr. Mansour told the Council. “The coming days will show what his priorities really were. Will he destroy the ceasefire and resume the fighting? Or will the Israelis, all of you, all of us, turn this into a permanent ceasefire to save lives?”

Calling out the Israeli hostages

Noa Argamani, a young Israeli woman who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, and held hostage for eight months by Hamas in Gaza before being rescued by the Israeli military, called on the parties to fully implement the three phases of the fragile ceasefire agreement so that all remaining hostages, alive and dead, are released.

She said her partner, Avinatan Or, who was also taken hostage, is not eligible to be released until the second phase of the deal.

"Make more efforts to bring everyone home now," Noa Argamani told the Security Council, the first time a person who was taken hostage on October 7 addressed the Council directly.

She said the remaining hostages "are in hell" and "deserve to come home."

Under the terms of the deal agreed in mid-January, the first phase of the 42-day truce ends this Saturday. Local media reported that 30 Israeli and foreign hostages have been released, and the remains of four killed hostages, including two children, have been returned. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have also been released.

In the second phase, the remaining male hostages, including soldiers, are expected to be released in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners.

In the third phase, the bodies of dead Israeli hostages are expected to be exchanged for dead Palestinian fighters.

Noa Argamani warned that "every second in captivity is dangerous."

"That's why it's absolutely critical that we put an end to this terrible tragedy. Without immediate action, many more innocent people will be killed," she said./ CNA