Nikolai Mladenov, the UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, praised Egypt´s role in restoring calm to the Gaza Strip, saying it had made a great effort.
"Gaza needs a political solution, and the fighting between the two sides cannot continue," Mladenov said in a briefing at the UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday evening.
Mladenov stressed that the United Nations will make every effort to prevent another conflict despite all expectations, adding: "We need to support understandings on Gaza to ease the humanitarian crisis."
"Hamas must ensure that the demonstrations (return marches) on the border fence are peaceful," he said, adding that "the Israeli army must show restraint and not resort to deadly forces."
"Elections must be held in the entire Palestinian territories in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem, within a known timetable," Mladenov said, noting that "the Palestinian people have the right to vote and choose their leaders."
He stressed that "an internal Palestinian agreement on holding elections must be reached," adding that he encouraged all parties in Palestine to accept compromises to make the elections a realistic horizon.
Mladenov also deplored the U.S. declaration that settlements did not violate international law, saying: "I am concerned by the continuing escalating violence against Palestinians related to settlements."
"Israel must stop confiscating Palestinian land in the West Bank," he said.
The United Nations envoy also welcomed the extension of UNRWA´s mandate until 2023, calling for its support to enable it to provide its services.
