The UN Security Council on Wednesday expressed concern over the "fragile" situation in the Gaza Strip and reaffirmed its support for the Egyptian mediation effort aiming to help establish a durable cease-fire.
The 15-member body held an open meeting to hear a briefing by Robert Serry, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East peace process, on the latest developments in the region before huddling behind closed doors to discuss the matter further.
Afterwards, Japanese UN Ambassador Yukio Takasu, the Council President for this month, told reporters that during the meeting, council members emphasized the importance of "full implementation of resolution 1860 in all aspects."
Resolution 1860, adopted by the council in January amid an Israel offensive against Palestinian militants in Gaza, called for an immediate, durable and fully respected cease-fire in Gaza.
"The current cease-fire is a very fragile one, and all of us very much wish the Egyptian mediation effort will be successful so that durable, effective and fully respected cease-fire will be achieved as soon as possible," Takasu said.
The Council members were also concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called on Israel to do its best to expand border crossing for humanitarian and reconstruction goods, he said.
The Council voiced support for the international conference on Gaza reconstruction to be held on March 2 in Egypt, he added.
Serry told the council that the security situation in the Gaza Strip remains weak.
"One month since unilateral cease-fires were declared, a proper cease-fire regime is still not in place, and there is an ever present danger of a return to the unsustainable conditions of last year, or even for renewed and more devastating violence," Serry warned.
While calling for continued international efforts to help achieve sustainable peace in the enclave, the UN envoy urged the Palestinians to face the challenge of reconciliation and the Israelis to overcome the challenge of forming a new government after elections in February which produced a result with no clear winner.
"Even as we await the outcome of these internal processes, an immediate priority is to address the situation in Gaza as called for in resolution 1860," Serry stressed.
He also expressed hope for progress to be achieved in the mediation efforts of Egypt, which is conducting talks with Israel and Hamas aimed at achieving a durable and sustainable cease-fire.