Pakistan highlights Gaza humanitarian crisis at UN Security Council briefing

During a briefing at the United Nations Security Council on the Middle East and the Palestinian issue, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative, Asim Iftikhar, said that despite political progress in occupied Palestine, the situation remains extremely serious, with ongoing violations of the ceasefire.

In his briefing, Iftikhar expressed gratitude to the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Ramiz Alakbarov, for his comprehensive briefing. He highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict in Gaza over the past two years, describing the humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians trapped under siege, repeatedly bombed, and suffering from severe hunger.

Over 70,000 people have reportedly been killed, the majority of them women and children, and much of the social and economic infrastructure has been reduced to rubble. Calls for accountability have been largely ignored, with impunity prevailing.

Iftikhar noted two significant developments amidst the ongoing Israeli aggression. First, a high-level meeting was held in July to advance a peaceful resolution and the implementation of a two-state solution, culminating in the adoption of the New York Declaration on September 12.

The conference also decided to resume discussions on September 22. The declaration underscored concrete, time-bound, and irreversible steps towards establishing an independent Palestinian state, reflecting the international community’s aspirations.

The second key development resulted from sustained political engagement and diplomacy. The Sharm El-Sheikh peace summit brought together regional and global partners to maintain the ceasefire, address humanitarian destruction, and lay the foundation for a credible political path toward Palestinian self-determination and statehood.

This process facilitated the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 last week. Pakistan, as part of this group, welcomed the initiative and supported proposals to end hostilities, rebuild Gaza, prevent displacement, promote comprehensive peace, and halt West Bank annexation.

Read: Gaza truce progress slow as Israeli-Hamas violence persists

Iftikhar reaffirmed Pakistan’s consistent and principled support for the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights. He reported continued civilian casualties in Israeli airstrikes, noting that over 300 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire was declared, highlighting the gap between verbal commitments and ground realities. Homes continue to be destroyed, lives lost, and families live under constant fear.

The West Bank is similarly affected, with unprecedented Israeli settler and military aggression. October recorded the highest number of settler attacks since UN monitoring began in 2006.

Villages, particularly in the north-western West Bank, have been displaced under raids and growing intimidation. Iftikhar stressed that Palestinians must be allowed to return home and live without fear.

He outlined key priorities to advance the peace process: full implementation of Resolution 2803, ensuring Palestinian-led governance, reconstruction, and institutional capacity-building; strict adherence to the ceasefire with zero tolerance for unilateral actions; uninterrupted humanitarian access; immediate reconstruction of Gaza; prevention of annexation and forced displacement; halting Israeli settlement expansion and demographic manipulation; ensuring accountability for serious violations of international law; ending Israeli occupation across Arab lands, including Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon; and establishing a credible, time-bound political process based on UN resolutions to achieve a sovereign, independent, and territorially contiguous Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Iftikhar emphasised that the two-state solution, the New York Declaration, and peace initiatives are complementary and must be implemented through coordinated, united action to fulfil the promise of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with international law.

He concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s steadfast solidarity with the Palestinian people, recognising their resilience amid unimaginable suffering, and underlining the international community’s responsibility to match that commitment.

Read more: 22 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza despite ceasefire

He described the current moment as decisive, stressing that pledges must now translate into tangible action. Pakistan stands firmly with Palestine in its pursuit of dignity, justice, self-determination, and statehood.

Gaza deal

The UN Security Council on November 18 voted to adopt a US-drafted resolution endorsing President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza and authorising an international stabilisation force for the Palestinian enclave.

Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas agreed last month to the first phase of Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza - a ceasefire in their two-year war and a hostage-release deal, but the UN resolution is seen as vital to legitimising a transitional governance body and reassuring countries that are considering sending troops to Gaza.

Trump disclosed the 20-point peace plan in late September alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, prompting questions on whether the initiative would lead to a two-state solution. The deal has been met with criticism and concerns that Pakistan is wavering from its commitment to the Palestinian cause.

Also read: Pakistan condemns Israeli attacks killing civilians in Gaza

The plan, backed by eight Muslim states — Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt — aims to enforce a ceasefire, protect civilians and begin rebuilding war-torn areas.

Israeli forces killed three Palestinians in Gaza near the line demarcating areas of Israeli control on Monday, underlining the struggle to broaden a fragile ceasefire deal approved over six weeks ago to global acclaim.

In a statement on Sunday, the Foreign Office (FO) condemned such violations, stating, "Such actions constitute a blatant violation of international law, relevant UN resolutions, and the recently concluded peace agreement at Sharm El-Sheikh. These attacks also undermine international efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the region".

"The Government of Pakistan reiterates its call upon the international community to take immediate steps to end Israeli impunity and ceasefire violations, and to uphold international human rights and humanitarian law".