Gaza:United Nations The risk of a return to war in Gaza is at an unprecedented high, as ongoing Israeli military operations coincide with a precarious humanitarian situation, according to Ramiz Alakbarov, Acting United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.
According to Emirates News Agency, Alakbarov briefed the United Nations Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for a credible path to peace for both Palestinians and Israelis. He urged the international community to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps to ensure a secure and dignified future for both peoples.
During a recent visit to Gaza, Alakbarov observed dire living conditions, with many families residing in worn-out tents and overcrowded displacement sites. The area's infrastructure, including water and sanitation systems, has been severely damaged, leaving most of Gaza without electricity. He highlighted that approximately 950,000 people face medium to high flood risks, and over 4,000 buildings used as shelters are at risk of collapse.
Alakbarov stressed the urgency of providing safe shelter and basic services to the people in Gaza before the onset of another winter. He also expressed concerns about the deteriorating situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where Israeli military operations, settler violence, and Palestinian attacks have exacerbated displacement and movement restrictions.
He called on Israeli authorities to halt settlement expansion, citing international legal obligations. Alakbarov noted that the deadline for settlement unit tenders in the E1 area was October 19, with awards possible only after the October 27 election.