UNITED NATIONS, May 9 (UPI) -- The Middle East diplomatic Quartet, although concerned about the new Palestinian government, is considering a "mechanism" to relieve its humanitarian problem.
The European Union, Russia, United Nations and the United States met Tuesday at U.N. World Headquarters in New York at the ministerial level.
As evening fell, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the panel was committed to a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but was concerned the Palestinian Authority does not recognize Israel, is not committed to non-violence and has not accepted previous agreements and obligations, including the Quartet's road map to peace.
It condemned the PA's "failure to take action against terrorism and its justification of the April 17 suicide bombing in Tel Aviv." The quartet also expressed concern over Israeli military operations that result in the loss of life.
Since Hamas took leadership, funds from Israel, including proceeds from taxes paid by Palestinians, and aid from its partners has been cut off, leading to the humanitarian crisis.
"The Quartet expressed serious concern about deteriorating conditions in the West Bank and Gaza, and about the delivery of humanitarian assistance, economic life, social cohesion and Palestinian institutions," Annan said, calling on the international community to "respond urgently to assistance requests by international organizations, especially U.N. agencies" and urged Israelis and Palestinians to take concrete steps to "implement obligations under the Agreement on Movement and Access."
It expressed "willingness to endorse a temporary international mechanism," scheduled for review in three months, that would be "fully accountable (and) ensures direct delivery of any assistance to the Palestinian people."
During a news conference, reporters were told the mechanism should be set up in a matter of weeks, rather than days, and would be overseen by the EU.
