Ramiz Alakbarov took stock of the situation in the battered enclave and the occupied West Bank, before discussing developments in Lebanon and Syria.
“Today we gather in a moment of renewed hope,” he said from Jerusalem.
“Even though progress on the ground is fragile and deep uncertainty persists, we must seize the opportunity before us to chart a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and the region as a whole.”
A fragile ceasefire under threat
Last month, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement on the first phase of a ceasefire and the release of hostages following a plan presented by US President Donald Trump.
However, recent Israeli airstrikes on populated areas have caused widespread casualties and destruction, while Palestinian militant attacks on Israeli soldiers have resulted in deaths.
“This violence is jeopardize the fragile ceasefire“, Mr Alakbarov said, urging all parties “to exercise restraint and respect their commitments under the agreement”.
“First glimmers of respite”
THE Security Council “also took an important step in the consolidation of the ceasefire” with the adoption of the resolution 2803 (2025)he added.
The text approves the American plan and the deployment of a temporary international force for Gaza.
“Although still facing unbearable living conditions and seemingly insurmountable destruction, Gaza residents have experienced at least the first glimmer of respite from the near-constant bombardment of the past two years,” he said.
At the same time, Israeli families found their loved ones held hostage.
Others received the remains of their loved ones, although the bodies of three hostages have not yet been returned.
Displacement, damage and destruction
Mr. Alakbarov reported that “the UN has redoubled its efforts to mobilize and intensify humanitarian assistance” in Gaza, but that efforts need to be expanded.
He highlighted the grim situation on the ground, with more than 1.7 million people still displaced and almost 80 percent of buildings damaged or destroyed.
The senior official visited the destroyed enclave last week, where “the picture remains dark“, emphasizing the “crucial need to move from emergency humanitarian assistance to helping communities rebuild their lives and restore essential services.”
Restoring dignity and hope
He said that “the damage in Gaza – physical, economic and social – is catastrophic.” Therefore, the international community cannot only address immediate physical needs, but also psychosocial needs, issues of social cohesion and justice.
“We must restore dignity and hope,” he said. “These efforts must be anchored in a clear political horizon to resolve the conflict, end the illegal occupation and achieve the two-state solution. »
“Alarming” violence in the West Bank
Meanwhile, in the West Bank, “settlement expansion, proliferation of outposts, violence, including settler violence, displacement and evictions, continue to escalate to alarming levels,” he reported.
Israeli military operations, particularly in the north, have resulted in death, destruction and the continued displacement of thousands of Palestinians from refugee camps.
“Settler violence has reached emergency levels,” he said. “In October, during the olive harvest season, the UN recorded the highest number of settler attacks on Palestinians since UN monitoring began – an average of eight per day. »
Additionally, arson and desecration of holy sites by settlers have further heightened tensions, while attacks by Palestinians – including acts of terror, such as a recent stabbing and ramming attack south of Jerusalem – have taken place.
He insisted that all perpetrators of violence must be held accountable.
Concern for Lebanon and Syria
Turning to the region as a whole, he reiterated the UN Secretary-General’s call to parties in Lebanon to respect their obligations to maintain the cessation of hostilities.
The agreement, reached between Israel and Lebanon in November 2024, follows more than a year of fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, linked to the Gaza war.
The senior official also echoed the Secretary-General’s call for an immediate cessation of all violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Challenges require commitment
Back in Gaza, Alakbarov said decisions made now will determine whether the ceasefire endures or collapses.
He stressed that the first phase of the agreement must be fully implemented and that the parties must urgently reach agreement on how to achieve the next steps.
“The challenges remain immense, but the cost of failure is unimaginable. We have the tools to lay the foundation for success, but the work ahead requires unwavering commitment from everyone,” he said.
He said the UN “remains committed to seizing this crucial opportunity to move from crisis management to conflict resolution” and that all efforts “must be guided by It is imperative to establish a genuine political process that will resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict once and for all..”
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
