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Amid settlement expansions, Security Council members say Israel must be held to account
Today’s Security Council meeting is hoping to shed light on new numbers released in Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s latest report. It shows the highest level of settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank since the UN has been tracking this dating back to 2017.
They’re really focused on the linkage between the violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and how it could potentially derail what many diplomats and UN officials are calling a fragile ceasefire deal in Gaza.
Right before the meeting started, five members of the Security Council – Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia and the UK – came out to the microphones at a media stakeout.
They called on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law. But going a little further, they said this must be translated into concrete action that addresses the root causes of the violence and holds those responsible to account.
UN deputy special coordinator warns Gaza ceasefire remains fragile after Israeli strikes
The deputy UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process warns that the ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile after continued Israeli military strikes, urging all sides to show restraint and seize what he describes as a critical opportunity to prevent further escalation.
Briefing the Security Council, Ramiz Alakbarov said the ceasefire has “largely held” but stressed that Israeli strikes in Gaza are continuing. He condemned the killing of civilians, including women and children.
“The ceasefire remains fragile,” Alakbarov said, adding that it nevertheless “offers a critical opportunity” and the UN stands ready to support efforts to stabilise the situation.
He welcomed the release of captives by Hamas and called for the return of the remains of the last deceased captive.
Alakbarov said the UN is continuing to distribute supplies in Gaza but warned that conditions remain dire. He cited the death of a two-week-old boy from exposure as an example of the humanitarian crisis.
He said supplies remain critically low and largely stored in warehouses in Jordan, urging Israel to allow “life-saving assistance into Gaza”.
Alakbarov also condemned the removal of the UN flag and the hoisting of an Israeli flag over an UNRWA facility.
