New York, Jan. 29 (SANA) Members of the United Nations Security Council stressed the need for full implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid, and an end to Israeli violations in the West Bank, during the Council’s monthly session on the Middle East on Wednesday.
Briefing the Council, Deputy UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov described the ceasefire as a “potential turning point” for Gaza, while warning that the situation in the West Bank continues to deteriorate due to Israeli military actions, settlement expansion and settler violence. He said advancing the second phase of the U.S.-proposed peace plan, including the establishment of a Peace Council and a Palestinian mechanism to administer Gaza, is essential to consolidating the ceasefire and addressing urgent humanitarian needs.
Palestine’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Riyad Mansour said more than 500 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect, stressing that continued destruction and humanitarian suffering persist in Gaza. He reaffirmed Palestinian support for the plan as a pathway to ending the killing and famine, while warning that ongoing Israeli escalation in the West Bank threatens the ceasefire’s sustainability and underscoring the need for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Several Council members, including European states and the United Kingdom, called on Israel to remove all obstacles to humanitarian access, open border crossings and cease actions undermining relief operations, particularly those affecting UNRWA.
They warned of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, citing civilian casualties and infant deaths linked to harsh living conditions.
Russia and China expressed cautious views on recent developments, stressing that any progress depends on strict respect for the Palestinian people, full compliance with international humanitarian law, and the rejection of forced displacement.
They also highlighted continued military strikes in Gaza, growing instability in the West Bank, and the expansion of Israeli settlements.
Speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, Jordan emphasized Israel’s obligation to fully implement all phases and provisions of the ceasefire agreement, linking the second phase to a broader political process aimed at establishing an independent, sovereign Palestinian state. Pakistan echoed these concerns, describing the continued occupation as a root cause of regional instability and voicing support for reconstruction efforts.
Somalia rejected any proposals involving the forcible relocation of Palestinians to its territory, calling such plans a violation of sovereignty and international law, while Indonesia reaffirmed support for a two-state solution and urged the Council to ensure civilian protection and unimpeded humanitarian access.
UN reports warn that the humanitarian and security situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and severe weather, while settlement expansion in the West Bank has accelerated in what is described as one of the largest waves of demographic-altering activity in recent years.
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