The UN Security Council convened an open session on the Middle East on Monday, chaired by Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, to address the Palestinian issue amid ongoing challenges in Gaza and the West Bank.

The session highlighted the ceasefire agreement in Gaza as a pivotal step, with renewed calls for a just resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Guterres: Ceasefire Offers a "Ray of Hope"

UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the Gaza ceasefire, describing it as a "ray of hope" despite the dire humanitarian situation. He noted that over 630 trucks of humanitarian aid entered Gaza on Sunday, with at least 300 reaching the beleaguered northern regions.

Guterres urged all parties to ensure the ceasefire evolves into a permanent agreement, emphasizing the necessity of four key actions: enabling UN agencies, including UNRWA, to operate unhindered; expanding the delivery of essential services under safe conditions; ensuring access to life-saving aid for civilians; and allowing sufficient commercial supplies into Gaza. He stressed the urgent need to protect civilians and provide safe passage for displaced persons returning to their homes.

The Secretary-General highlighted the deteriorating situation in the West Bank, pointing to increased Israeli airstrikes, illegal settlement expansion, and home demolitions. “I am deeply concerned about the existential threat to the integrity and contiguity of the occupied Palestinian territory in Gaza and the West Bank,” Guterres said, condemning any plans for annexation as a grave violation of international law.

He called for collective support to reunify Gaza and the West Bank under the political, economic, and administrative leadership of the Palestinian National Authority, which has expressed readiness to assume these responsibilities.

Palestinian Leadership Reiterates Sovereignty Claims

Palestinian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Fareseen Shaheen emphasized that Gaza is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory and reaffirmed the State of Palestine's legal and political jurisdiction over all lands occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.

Shaheen stressed the Palestinian government’s commitment to managing the Gaza Strip alongside the West Bank, working with international partners to restore basic services, ensure the safe return of displaced residents, and prepare for reconstruction. She also urged the implementation of Security Council resolutions, including Resolution No. 2735, and rejected any attempts to fragment Palestinian land or displace its people.

"The glimmer of hope visible on the horizon must endure," Shaheen said, urging the Council to seize the opportunity to establish a lasting ceasefire and chart a political path towards ending the occupation.

Algeria Calls for Historic Action on Palestinian National Project

Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf underscored the historic significance of the Gaza ceasefire, calling it a starting point for renewed efforts to achieve the Palestinian national project.

“Gaza has endured unspeakable crimes that claimed over 46,000 lives, predominantly women and children,” Attaf said, urging the Security Council to assume its responsibility in addressing the core conflict and delivering justice to the Palestinian people.

Attaf outlined three priorities for the international community: consolidating the ceasefire agreement, ensuring future arrangements in Gaza reflect Palestinian aspirations, and launching a serious political process under UN auspices to resolve the conflict.

Global Calls for Lasting Peace and Rebuilding Gaza

British Minister of State for the Middle East Hamish Falconer described the ceasefire as a "critical first step" towards a two-state solution, offering hope to Palestinians, Israelis, and the global community. He highlighted the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza, exacerbated by winter, and called for urgent international efforts to sustain the ceasefire and rebuild Gaza.

Falconer stressed the importance of bolstering UNRWA, which is on the brink of collapse, and urged Israel to remove barriers that hinder the agency's work. “Millions of people depend on us,” he said, emphasizing the global community’s duty to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need.

A Path Towards Justice and Liberation

The session reflected growing international recognition of the urgency to address the Palestinian struggle. Speakers called for sustained humanitarian aid, an end to Israeli aggression, and concrete steps towards establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The international community now faces a crucial test: to transform the ceasefire into a foundation for lasting peace and justice for the Palestinian people. (ILKHA)