UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo in the Security Council. Photo from the archive The UN Security Council discussed the situation in the Middle East: “despite the truce, there is no peace in Gaza” Peace and security
A senior United Nations official warned the Security Council on Wednesday that the Middle East is at a defining moment, with the fragile truce in the Gaza Strip offering a rare opportunity for progress but remaining seriously threatened by ongoing violence and a dire humanitarian situation.
Window of opportunity
Speaking at a meeting chaired by British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said the coming weeks will determine whether the region can move towards stabilization or face a renewed escalation of conflict. After years of destruction and enormous human suffering, she noted, there is a “window of opportunity” for change, “but it is neither guaranteed nor indefinite.”
Strengthening the ceasefire regime
The UN calls on all parties and Security Council members to focus on consolidating the truce reached last October, as well as taking concrete steps towards reconstruction and progress towards lasting peace. A key element of these efforts remains the implementation of the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire and progress toward resuming the political process leading to a two-state solution.
According to the speaker, these measures should include efforts to demilitarize the sector – the disarmament of Hamas and other Palestinian groups, as well as the transfer of powers to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
Humanitarian access
According to DiCarlo, some progress has been made in expanding humanitarian access since the truce took effect, including the opening on February 2 Rafah crossing for pedestrian traffic in both directions. This allowed medical evacuation of patients and ensured the return of hundreds of people. However, thousands of local residents still need treatment not available in Gaza.
Despite these advances, the humanitarian situation remains extremely difficult. The vast majority of the population of the Gaza Strip remains unable to return to their homes and lives in extremely difficult conditions. Relief operations face severe constraints, and severe shortages of shelter materials, medical equipment and educational supplies are hampering humanitarian efforts. “Gaza is still not living in peace,” DiCarlo said, noting that in recent weeks Israeli airstrikes targeted densely populated areas, killing dozens of Palestinians, including women and children. At the same time, armed clashes continued between the Israeli military and Palestinian armed groups, highlighting the fragility of the truce.
The situation in the West Bank
Meanwhile, the situation in the occupied West Bank is rapidly deteriorating. Israeli forces have stepped up operations, with raids, mass detentions and a growing number of displaced Palestinian families, especially in the north of the territory, according to the UN. Continued settlement expansion, demolitions and increased settler violence further heighten tensions.
DiCarlo warned that recent decisions by Israeli authorities could expand Israeli civilian powers over parts of the West Bank and accelerate settlement growth, raising serious concerns about possible forced population transfers and what she called the gradual “de facto annexation” of the territory. The UN stresses that Israeli settlements have no legal force under international law.
The economic crisis is also exerting additional pressure: withholding tax revenues is exacerbating the financial difficulties of the Palestinian Authority and leading to cuts in basic services.
Prospects for lasting peace
In conclusion, DiCarlo emphasized that at this “fragile stage” half-hearted measures are not enough. She called for full implementation of diplomatic initiatives, urgent de-escalation on the ground and a resumption of the political process that can lead to lasting peace and a viable two-state solution.