UN Envoy Warns Gaza Ceasefire at Fragile Turning Point

Bread is readied for distribution in Nuseirat, Gaza. Since the ceasefire took effect, flow of aid into the Strip has increased but needs remain immense.

The Gaza ceasefire offers a rare opportunity to end one of the most destructive phases of the wider Israel-Palestine conflict, the UN’s Deputy Middle East Envoy told the Security Council on Thursday.

Deputy Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov warned that without decisive support for reconstruction and aid delivery, the region risks sliding back into violence.

The fragile truce, achieved through broad agreement over President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan earlier this month, has created “a momentous but precarious juncture,” he said.

“The agreement represents hope for a better future, but the dynamics are extremely fragile,” he said. “A return to conflict must be avoided at all costs.”

Mr Alakbarov commended the mediation efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye, describing the ceasefire as “a critical breakthrough” that must be consolidated through restraint and cooperation.

He urged the immediate return of the remains of deceased hostages and called for humanitarian aid to enter the enclave “at scale” to meet what he described as “enormous and urgent needs.”

Since the truce took effect, the UN and its partners have expanded relief operations across Gaza. Mr Alakbarov noted that the UN’s 60-day humanitarian plan aims to streamline customs procedures, increase access routes, and restore basic services. He added that the flow of assistance had risen by 46 per cent in the first week of the ceasefire.

However, he warned that access remains limited.

“Much more still needs to be done,” he said, citing the need for more crossings, safe passage for aid workers, and sustained entry of fuel and essential goods.

Ongoing violence — including Israeli strikes, Palestinian militant attacks, and apparent reprisals by armed groups — continues to jeopardise relief efforts and stability in the territory, he added.

Turning to the West Bank, Mr Alakbarov voiced concern over large-scale Israeli security operations, settler violence, and Israel’s continued withholding of Palestinian tax revenues.

“Palestinians must be allowed to return to their homes, and local economies need to function,” he said.

The Deputy Envoy also referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion issued on Wednesday, which was welcomed by the UN Secretary-General. The opinion reaffirmed Israel’s obligation as an occupying power to facilitate humanitarian relief and fully cooperate with the UN and its agencies.

Looking ahead, Mr Alakbarov stressed that reconstruction must be Palestinian-led, supported by regional and international partners.

The upcoming Cairo Reconstruction Conference — co-hosted by Egypt, the Palestinian Authority, and the UN — will provide “an important venue to advance recovery and reconstruction for Gaza,” he said.

He added that recent international initiatives — including the Summit for Peace in Sharm el-Sheikh and the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution — have generated “renewed momentum” toward ending the conflict and restoring a viable political horizon.

Mr Alakbarov reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in line with international law and resolutions, achieving a two-State solution with Israel and Palestine “living side by side in peace and security within recognised borders, based on pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.”