After the ceasefire took effect, the UN and its partners quickly stepped up humanitarian efforts in Gaza. UN Security Council: ceasefire in Gaza must be a step towards sustainable peace in the region Peace and Security
After two years of devastating war in Gaza, there is an opportunity to end a dark chapter in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and chart a path to a more just and peaceful future. This was stated by the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov, speaking on Thursday at a meeting of the Security Council.
He said the suffering of Palestinians and Israelis will leave a mark on generations, and the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory remains dire for civilians.
Fragile truce
“The destruction in Gaza cannot be described in words,” the speaker said. “Civilians, including children, women and men, continue to suffer the consequences of war and deprivation.” The UN representative also recalled that the bodies of the dead Israeli hostages remain in Gaza – their families are waiting “in agony” for the return of the remains of their loved ones.
Alakbarov stressed that the ceasefire gives hope, but the situation remains extremely unstable. “A return to conflict must be avoided at all costs. The remaining bodies of the dead hostages must be returned without further delay. Humanitarian assistance must reach the sector in full to meet the enormous needs of communities where they are,” he said, calling on all parties to strictly adhere to their obligations under the agreement.
Humanitarian Principles
The Deputy Special Coordinator said that since the ceasefire took effect, the UN and its partners have quickly stepped up humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
He said that the UN is implementing a 60-day plan aimed at simplifying customs procedures, expanding delivery routes, ensuring the safe movement of humanitarian personnel and restoring key services.
According to the UN, the amount of aid reaching Gaza in the first week after the ceasefire increased by 46 percent, but Alakbarov said, “this is still not enough.” He called for the opening of more crossings into the enclave, ensuring safe humanitarian corridors, a constant supply of fuel and the ability of organizations to operate in accordance with humanitarian principles.
Restoring order
UN Representative also expressed concern about the continued violence in Gaza, which is “undermining humanitarian efforts and threatening stability.” He stressed the need to restore public order as a key step to improve the humanitarian situation.
The rapporteur also noted that this process of reconstruction in the enclave must be “led by the Palestinian side” with collective support. The UN, he said, stands ready to help coordinate these efforts with the Palestinian Authority, international partners, civil society and the private sector, in accordance with ceasefire commitments, the New York Declaration and the Arab Plan for Recovery and Reconstruction.
60~h2>International law
Alakbarov also recalled that the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion on October 22, which indicated that Israel is obliged to fulfill its obligations under international law, ensure humanitarian access and cooperate with the UN.
Speaking about the situation in the West Bank, he noted that tens of thousands of Palestinians have become internally displaced due to the operation of Israeli security forces. “Palestinians must be allowed to return to their homes and the local economy must function,” Alakbarov said. He also condemned the settler violence suffered by Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest.
In addition, the Deputy Special Coordinator drew attention to the dire financial situation of the Palestinian Authority, which, according to him, cannot receive about three billion dollars in tax revenues withheld Israel.
Peace Process
Concluding his speech, he emphasized that the peace process is at a “decisive but unstable stage.” Alakbarov said President Trump’s 20-point plan and the declaration signed at the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit paved the way to ending the war. That said, the upcoming Reconstruction Conference in Cairo, co-hosted by Egypt, the Palestinian Authority and the UN, will be an important platform for advancing Gaza reconstruction efforts. conflict,” the speaker noted.
The UN, he said, will continue to support all efforts to end the occupation and realize the two-state solution of Israel and Palestine, including Gaza, living side by side in peace and security within pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.