Thailand welcomes the temporary ceasefire brokered by Egypt, which provides another window of opportunity for all sides to work towards a solution for durable and sustainable peace.  Violence and hostilities during the past few weeks such as the shellings of civilian targets by both sides have caused an alarmingly high number of casualties. This cycle of violence must not be repeated.We were particularly alarmed by the recent shellings in the area nearby the schools in the Gaza Strip designated as UN shelters, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of protected civilians, including children and women.  We urge all sides to strictly abide by international humanitarian law and respect the inviolability of UN designated shelters.

In response to the humanitarian crisis and as a matter of urgency, Thailand intends to provide additional humanitarian relief to the Palestinian people through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as well as through bilateral channel.

6 August 2014