Deputy UN envoy to Middle East Peace Process arrives in Gaza

Jamie McGoldrick, UN Deputy Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, arrived in Gaza yesterday morning, passing through the Erez crossing, Quds Press reported.

It is not clear whether his arrival is to arrange for a visit for the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov, as part of the ongoing truce talks between factions in Gaza and occupation forces.

Mladenov has visited the region several times travelling between Tel Aviv and Gaza as part of his efforts to facilitate a truce brokered by Egypt.

Palestinians in Gaza have been protesting since 30 March against the 11-year siege imposed on the Strip, as well as to reinforce their right to return to homes they were forced out of to make way for the creation of the state of Israel in 1948.

Read: Whether it’s Hamas or Fatah in Gaza, it is Israel which determines the rules

More than 220 Palestinians have been killed during the peaceful protests as Israeli occupation forces used live munition, rubber coated metal bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds along the Gaza-Israel barrier. More than 22,000 have been wounded.

On Tuesday, McGoldrick called on the Arab states to step up and help facilitate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but blamed the Israeli occupation for the “catastrophic situation”.

Speaking with the Times of Israel, he said: “The Arab world should contribute more, but also we have to recognise that this is an occupation as well. There are responsibilities for the context that is being created by Israel.”