United Nations Radio

The reduction of violence in Gaza is a significant but fragile achievement.

That's what the top UN official for political affairs told the Security Council Tuesday during a briefing on the situation in the Middle East.

However, Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe (photo) says while the ceasefire in Gaza has held with a marked decline in violence, there's concern about the lack of improvement in the situation on the ground in the West Bank.

And he warns that it's critical to accelerate progress on the ground in the West Bank.

"In this connection we note with concern that Israeli forces have stepped up their military operations throughout the west Bank since 19 June. The IDGF closed down and seized equipment of alleged Hamas-affiliated institutions in Nablus, including schools, medical centers, media outlets and civic associations. Israel also outlawed 36 international non-governmental organizations, charging them with fund-raising for Hamas."

Under-Secretary-General Pascoe says Palestinian Authority officials have criticized these Israeli operations as undermining the economy and the Authority's effort to improve security in the West Bank.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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