UN Peace Envoy for the Middle East, Tor Wennesland, warned the Security Council on Wednesday that the risk of escalation in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian movement "Hamas" in Gaza is "very real and extremely dangerous." Speaking to the 15-member council via video call from Doha, he stated, "I fear we are on the brink of a deep and dangerous abyss that could change the course of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, if not the entire Middle East."