New York, August 26 (Petra) – The UN Security Council held its
monthly meeting on Wednesday to discuss the situation in the Middle
East, with the UN warning that the ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile
and that conditions in the occupied West Bank continue to deteriorate
rapidly.

Acting UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz
Alakbarov said addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains
of paramount importance, as Palestinians continue to endure
unbearable conditions and immense suffering and are increasingly
losing hope.

He said that full implementation of the 15-point Roadmap would
advance the transitional arrangements outlined in the plan, including
the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups, the withdrawal of
Israeli forces from Gaza, the deployment of an international
stabilisation force and the transfer of transitional governance
responsibilities to the National Committee for the Administration of
Gaza.

Alakbarov said that these steps should pave the way for the broader
objective of establishing a political horizon that ends the illegal
occupation, fulfills the Palestinian people’s right to
self-determination and advances the two-state solution.

He said the necessary means to move forward on a credible path are
available, noting that the relevant Security Council resolutions,
together with the Roadmap, provide a political vision, a practical
framework and a basis for coordinated international action.

The UN official said that improving living conditions in Gaza
requires moving beyond emergency relief and restoring essential
systems and services without further delay, particularly sanitation,
waste management, healthcare and livelihoods.

He noted that restrictions on the entry of vital humanitarian
supplies remain in place, while humanitarian funding remains
critically low.

Regarding the occupied West Bank, Alakbarov warned that widespread
settler attacks continue amid near-total impunity.

He said Israeli security forces have repeatedly failed to protect
Palestinians from settler violence and, in some cases, have
reportedly facilitated or participated in such attacks.

He added that Israel, as the occupying power, is obligated to ensure
the protection of the civilian population and hold perpetrators
accountable.

Alakbarov raised concerns over the reported forced entry by Israeli
forces into the Qalandia Training Centre, operated by the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in
occupied East Jerusalem.

He called on Israel to comply with its obligations under
international law and stressed that all attempts to seize, control or
confiscate UNRWA facilities must cease.

//Petra// AK