Politics
The United Nations Security Council has been warned that the risk of renewed war in Gaza is growing and must be prevented at all costs.
The United Nations Security Council has been warned that the risk of renewed war in Gaza is growing and must be prevented at all costs. Meanwhile, the situation in the occupied West Bank remains extremely tense and is approaching a flashpoint. Ramiz Alakbarov, the United Nations Acting Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed the Security Council on developments in Gaza and the West Bank. He said that frustration in Gaza was growing. A year has passed since the ceasefire took effect, but living conditions have not improved for many people. This dissatisfaction and despair cannot continue indefinitely, he warned, adding that the risk of renewed fighting is greater than ever. Alakbarov said Palestinians in the West Bank continue to face persistent threats to their lives, property and livelihoods. They are being pushed into restricted and fragmented areas, undermining the geographical continuity essential for the establishment of a future independent Palestinian state.
He noted that during the high-level meetings of the United Nations General Assembly, the international community had reaffirmed its strong support for a two-state solution. It is now time to translate that support into coordinated and decisive action capable of changing realities on the ground. The path forward is clear, he said: the ceasefire in Gaza must become the foundation for genuine recovery and a lasting political settlement. He also stressed the need to end the occupation of the entire occupied Palestinian territory.
Alakbarov said both Palestinians and Israelis need a credible path towards peace and an end to the conflict. The international community must move beyond statements and take concrete, decisive measures to ensure that both peoples can enjoy security and live with dignity. He also urged continued efforts towards the shared goal of enabling Israel and Palestine to coexist peacefully and securely as two states, with Jerusalem serving as the shared capital.
A Security Council meeting has been convened to discuss the situation in the Middle East, particularly the Palestinian issue. The meeting is being attended by 70 speakers, including representatives of Arab countries, the Arab League and the European Union, as well as Security Council members and the representatives of Israel and Palestine to the United Nations.
