The Security Council Discusses the Situation in the Middle East Including the Palestinian Issue

SadaNews - This Monday evening, a session of the United Nations Security Council commenced, focusing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue.

The UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Peace Process, the Humanitarian Coordinator in the occupied Palestinian territory, Ramiz Al-Akbrouf, stated in his briefing to the council, "We are meeting today at a moment of renewed hope, and the Security Council should 'seize the opportunity' to draw a better future for both Palestinians and Israelis and for the entire region.

He added: The ceasefire has largely held in Gaza, and the United Nations has intensified its efforts to mobilize and expand humanitarian assistance; however, the situation remains bleak. He emphasized the urgent need to transition from emergency humanitarian aid to empowering communities to rebuild their lives, and urged Israel to expand the capacities of the crossings and expedite approval for the entry of supplies.

He noted that the European Union, the United Nations, and the World Bank are working to update the "rapid damage and needs assessment" issued in March, which indicated that the cost of reconstruction would be around $53 billion, and pointed out that preparations are ongoing for a Cairo conference to rebuild Gaza.

He added: "The damage in Gaza - humanitarian, economic, and social - is catastrophic."

Regarding the situation in the occupied West Bank, Al-Akbrouf warned of escalating settlement expansion, the spread of settlement outposts, including settler violence, displacement, and eviction operations at alarming levels.

He alerted that settler violence has reached emergency levels, indicating that the United Nations recorded its highest number of settler attacks on Palestinians during the olive harvesting season in October - averaging eight attacks per day.

According to the UN official, these attacks have resulted in injuries to farmers, destruction of olive trees, and livelihoods. In many cases, the occupying forces have failed to prevent these acts or were complicit in them.

He affirmed that the United Nations will continue to support all efforts aimed at ending the unlawful occupation, and implementing the negotiated two-state solution based on the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of two states living side by side in peace and security.

Pakistani Representative Calls for Commitment to Ceasefire, Preventing Annexation and Displacement, and Ending Settlement Expansion

The Pakistani representative stated that the situation throughout the occupied Palestinian territories remains dire, amid violations of the ceasefire and Israeli airstrikes.

He added: The peace proclaimed in words has not yet brought full protection and stability on the ground, and in the West Bank, settler violence has reached unprecedented levels.

He emphasized the necessity of implementing resolution 2803 (2025), full commitment to the ceasefire; ensuring access to humanitarian assistance; recovery and reconstruction in Gaza; preventing annexation or forced displacement under any circumstances; immediate cessation of Israeli settlement expansion; accountability for violations of international law; and ending the Israeli occupation of all Arab territories.

He reaffirmed the need for a time-bound political process, based on United Nations resolutions, leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and geographically contiguous State of Palestine, on the borders of June 4, 1967, with its capital in Jerusalem.

British Representative Demands Implementation of Resolution 2803, Condemns Settler Violence, and Calls for Release of Frozen Tax Revenues

The British representative called for the complete and effective implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 2803 (2025), which was adopted last week, in accordance with international law.

He stated: "We need an international stabilization force and a rapid deployment of trained Palestinian police to support the ceasefire," affirming the resolution's emphasis on the importance of fully resuming humanitarian assistance in Gaza, "every crossing and every road must be opened without delay."

He stressed that stability in the West Bank is essential for any sustainable peace, highlighting that the horrific incidents of settler violence, including targeting a mosque, must be investigated and those responsible held accountable.

The British representative also called on Israel to end its stranglehold on the Palestinian economy by releasing the withheld tax revenues.

Algerian Representative Calls for Maintenance of Ceasefire, Ensuring Accountability, and Ending Occupation

The Algerian representative stated that the occupied Palestinian land "remains a theater of bloodshed," condemning the killing of more than 310 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since the ceasefire.

He added that "Israel is grossly violating the understandings" from Lebanon to Syria, and from Gaza to the West Bank, calling for decisive action to maintain the ceasefire and hold the occupying force accountable to its commitments.

He pointed out that humanitarian assistance that is supposed to flow freely is obstructed by the occupying forces, leaving families facing winter without shelter, food, or clean water, as diseases spread rapidly.

He condemned the blatant violations and horrific crimes in the West Bank, aimed at implementing ethnic cleansing and intended to eliminate the idea of establishing a Palestinian state in the future.

The Algerian representative called for maintaining the ceasefire, initiating reconstruction efforts, ensuring accountability, and ending the occupation.

French Representative Condemns Ongoing Violations of International Law in the West Bank

The French representative pointed out that the renewal of the General Assembly's mandate for UNRWA and the Security Council's adoption of resolution 2803 (2025) constitute a "starting point," emphasizing the "collective responsibility" of the Security Council in overseeing the implementation of this resolution.

He stated that France will contribute 100 million euros to the 2025 humanitarian response plan, and that it will help enhance Palestinian security forces through the EU Border Assistance Mission at Rafah and the European police mission in the Palestinian territories by deploying around 100 police officers.

Regarding the establishment of a "Peace Council" and the Palestinian technocratic committee, he said that France will ensure their inclusivity of all relevant parties, especially the Palestinian Authority.

In the West Bank, the French representative condemned the ongoing violations of international law.

Chinese Representative Calls on Israel to Comply with its Obligations under International Law

The Chinese representative confirmed the need for the international community to make further efforts" to push the peace process in the region, considering achieving a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip a priority, especially with reports indicating that Israel has violated this measure over 400 times.

He called on Israel to comply with its obligations under international law to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, reminding of the advisory opinions and multiple provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice in this regard.

He emphasized the need to reduce tensions in the West Bank amid "ongoing settlement expansion and Israel's disregard for settler violence."

Greek Representative Confirms Greece's Steadfast Support for the Two-State Solution

The Greek representative expressed her anticipation of the implementation of resolution 2803 (2025), confirming that her country has been steadfast in calling for a ceasefire to ensure the safe and unhindered delivery of assistance, while acknowledging the need to operate more humanitarian corridors.

She said: "There is much to be done, urgently, calling for the provision of shelter, sanitation services, and heating, particularly for the most vulnerable Palestinians. She added that "the role of UNRWA is indispensable," considering the recent advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice.

In the West Bank, the Greek representative denounced the sharp rise in settler violence, property destruction, and displacement operations, affirming Greece's steadfast support for the two-state solution.

Riyad Mansour: The Occupation Hinders Any Progress Toward Life, Freedom, and Peace

The Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, demanded full respect for the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, stating: "Nothing can justify the killing or injury of 1,000 citizens in Gaza since the ceasefire began.

Mansour affirmed that Israel's actions as the occupying power are a deliberate attempt to hinder any progress toward life, liberty, and peace.

He said that Palestine accepted the peace plan proposed by President Trump, despite knowing Israel's intentions: forced displacement, continued occupation, and efforts toward annexation, noting that Israel applies the same policy throughout the region: seizing land under the pretext of flimsy security concerns.

He added that referring to the right to self-determination and the establishment of a Palestinian state in resolution 2803 was sufficient to provoke the ire of the Israeli government.

He emphasized that nothing will undermine the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, asserting: "We will never relinquish it."

Mansour affirmed Palestine's commitment to continue working with the U.S. administration, Saudi Arabia, and other regional and international partners to pave a serious and irreversible pathway toward freedom, independence, and peace.