Pakistan urges UN to fully implement Gaza peace plan, warns delays threaten peace prospects

Pakistan on Tuesday urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to ensure the full implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza and the peace framework endorsed by the Council, warning that delays risk "irreparably undermining the prospects for a just and lasting peace" and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Addressing the UNSC's open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said the discussion offered "an important opportunity for a holistic assessment of the situation in the Middle East."

He said the latest UN assessment showed that the Occupied Palestinian Territory remained "in dire straits", adding that while the ceasefire and US President Donald Trump's comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict had created "an important opportunity to alleviate humanitarian suffering and advance a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood", delays in implementing the initiative required "urgent attention."

"It is imperative to uphold the commitments reflected in the peace plan and Security Council Resolution 2803 that endorsed it," he said. "Failure to act now risks irreparably undermining the prospects for a just and lasting peace."

Turning to developments in the occupied West Bank, the Pakistani envoy said continued Israeli settlement expansion, the establishment of new settlement outposts and rising settler violence were "altering the demographic and geographic character of the Occupied Palestinian Territory."

He also raised concerns over what he described as the planned "Crimson Thread" project, a proposed 500-kilometre network of walls and military roads through the Jordan Valley.

According to Ahmad, the project would isolate Palestinian communities, sever the Jordan Valley from the rest of the West Bank and "undermine the viability and territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian State."

Read: Pakistan, Jordan discuss worsening Gaza situation, diplomatic response

The ambassador said Pakistan had joined other members of the Group of Eight (G8) Arab and Islamic countries in condemning what they described as Israel's escalation at Al Aqsa Mosque, particularly "the continued mass incursions by settlers."

He said the foreign ministers of the group considered the actions "a flagrant violation of international law, the relevant UN resolutions, and the historical and legal status quo at the holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem."

On Gaza, Ahmad described the humanitarian situation as "extremely fragile", saying that although the ceasefire and parts of the peace plan had brought some improvements, conditions remained dire.

He noted that 59% of Gaza's population continued to face crisis-level food insecurity, while "since the ceasefire, over 1,100 Palestinians have been killed."

"That calls into question the full and faithful implementation of the Plan," he said.

The ambassador added that nearly two million people remained confined to just 30% of Gaza's territory, where they continued to endure "catastrophic living conditions."

He also referred to reports of "a massive earthen barrier" being constructed across Gaza, saying it would entrench Israeli occupation and control over nearly 70% of the territory.

Against that backdrop, Ahmad said the Security Council must "act with unity" and outlined four immediate priorities.

First, he called on the Council to "support the full implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict and Security Council Resolution 2803."

Secondly, he urged the Council to "demand an immediate halt to all settlement activities" and reject "any attempts at annexation, forced displacement, or alteration of the demographic and geographic character of the Occupied Palestinian Territory," in line with relevant Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2334.

Thirdly, Pakistan called for "international protection for the Palestinian people," echoing an appeal made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, while urging accountability for "those responsible for crimes and violations committed against civilians."

Finally, Ahmad urged the immediate and unconditional release of withheld Palestinian revenues to enable the Palestinian Authority "to continue delivering essential public services."

Reiterating Pakistan's long-standing position on the conflict, the ambassador said "the only credible path to a just and lasting peace" remained the establishment of "an independent, sovereign, contiguous and viable State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital."

Read More: Israeli army detains at least 48 Palestinians across West Bank, 8 injured in attack by occupiers

Beyond the Palestinian issue, Ahmad said Pakistan remained "deeply concerned" about wider regional developments that were escalating tensions across the Middle East.

He reaffirmed Pakistan's support for "the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all brotherly countries in the region" and urged "all sides to exercise restraint, take immediate steps towards de-escalation and uphold respective commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding."

"Pakistan remains committed to providing all support towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the region through dialogue and diplomacy," he added.

Addressing the situation in Lebanon, Ahmad said the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 remained essential for achieving lasting peace and stability. He also expressed appreciation for "the diplomatic efforts led by the US to consolidate the cessation of hostilities and advance a durable peace in Lebanon."

On Syria, the ambassador called for full respect for the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity and reaffirmed Pakistan's support for the Syrian government's efforts "in this new phase."

He said the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and UN Security Council Resolutions 338 and 497 "must be fully respected," adding that "Israel must vacate its illegal occupation of all Arab territories."

Turning to Yemen, Ahmad reiterated Pakistan's support for "a Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process" aimed at achieving comprehensive and lasting peace.

He condemned attacks against Saudi Arabia as well as assaults on commercial shipping, saying such incidents threatened "global trade and regional security."

The envoy also expressed concern over what he described as attempts to draw Saudi Arabia into the wider Middle East conflict, reiterating Pakistan's "unwavering support for the security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and prosperity of the brotherly Kingdom."

Concluding his remarks, Ahmad said lasting peace in the Middle East would remain unattainable "as long as occupation persists and the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for self-determination are not fulfilled."

He reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to stand "in unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people" and support "all genuine efforts aimed at achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions and international legitimacy."

Also on Tuesday, the UN's deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Ramiz Alakbarov expressed alarm at the "rapidly deteriorating" situation in the occupied West Bank, denouncing the escalation of violence, particularly by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

"In the past week, the escalating violence in the West Bank has resulted in civilian casualties, displacement, damage to property, and growing insecurity across affected communities," he said.

"Israeli settler attacks against Palestinian communities, homes, places of worship and civilian infrastructure have persisted at alarming levels," he said. Violence has exploded in the West Bank since the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, with near-daily attacks by Israeli settlers and regular raids on Palestinian villages.