Gaza’s Population Is Enduring Unbearable Conditions and Immense Suffering, While Hope Is Fading

UNITED NATIONS

Gaza’s Population Is Enduring Unbearable Conditions and Immense Suffering, While Hope Is Fading

The Situation in the West Bank Is Deteriorating Rapidly

26 August 2026- Report
Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, briefing the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East:

The ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile, while the situation in the West Bank continues to deteriorate rapidly

“Addressing the tragic situation in Gaza remains of critical importance, as the population there continues to endure unbearable conditions and immense suffering, and is beginning to lose hope

Alakbarov said that full implementation of the 15-point roadmap would help advance the transitional arrangements set out in the plan, including

 

the disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups
the withdrawal of the Israeli military from Gaza
the deployment of the International Stabilization Force;
and the transfer of transitional governance responsibilities to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza

He added

“These steps must pave the way towards the broader objective of creating a political horizon that ends the unlawful occupation, realizes the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, and advances the two-State solution”

Alakbarov said that the means necessary to move forward on a credible path are available and, together with previous Security Council resolutions, provide a “political vision, a practical framework, and a coordinated international effort”

He called for action to translate that vision into concrete steps and stressed the need for the immediate and full implementation of Security Council resolution 2803

Resolution 2803, adopted in November 2025, endorsed U.S. President Donald Trump’s comprehensive 20-point plan to end the conflict in Gaza

 

Moving Beyond Emergency Relief

The UN official stressed that improving living conditions in Gaza requires moving beyond emergency relief

“Basic systems and services must be restored without further delay, particularly sanitation, waste management, healthcare and livelihoods

He pointed to continued restrictions on the entry of critical humanitarian supplies and said that funding remains far too low

Alakbarov emphasized that women and girls are central to recovery efforts, adding

“The message from women-led organizations in Gaza is clear: nothing should be designed without the people of Gaza. They must take the first step in every planning and recovery process

He also noted that Arab countries have, in recent years, contributed more than half of the resources allocated to relief efforts in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, stressing that the role of the region remains essential amid growing global pressure on humanitarian resources

The Situation in the West Bank

Alakbarov warned that widespread settler attacks continue across the occupied West Bank amid an almost total absence of accountability

He said Israeli security forces have repeatedly failed to protect Palestinians from settler attacks and that, in some cases, reports indicate that they have facilitated or participated in such violence.

He stressed that Israel, as the occupying Power, is required to ensure the protection of the civilian population and to hold perpetrators accountable

Alakbarov renewed his call on Israel to act in accordance with its obligations under international law, stressing that all attempts to seize, take control of, or confiscate UNRWA facilities must stop

“An Opportunity to Move Towards an Environment of Peace”

Nikolay Mladenov, High Representative of the Board of Peace for Gaza, briefing the Security Council

Mladenov said there is an opportunity to improve the lives of Palestinians in Gaza in a radical and sustainable way, provide lasting security for Israelis, and move from a conflict that has destabilized the region towards an environment that offers peace, prosperity and economic opportunity for the entire Middle East

He called for the full implementation of the comprehensive plan and roadmap, adding

“It is in the interest of Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region that this plan does not collapse”

He said Hamas and Palestinian factions in Gaza had agreed to surrender their weapons and transfer authority, describing this as a “historic breakthrough

Mladenov also outlined key elements in the implementation of the comprehensive plan

The formation of the International Stabilization Force, led by U.S. Major General Jasper Jeffers, is continuing, with sites being prepared and additional countries joining those that have already committed to participate.
The Board of Peace and the International Stabilization Force are working on a monitoring and compliance mechanism to support implementation during the next phase
Work is underway on highly necessary deconfliction arrangements, including a coordination cell and communication channels to address emerging threats before they escalate

Three Risks

Mladenov identified three major risks that could undermine the progress achieved so far

First Risk: The Gap Between Agreements and Implementation

He said the first risk is the gap between what has been signed and what is actually being implemented on the ground

He noted that Israeli strikes have continued since the roadmap was accepted and that Palestinian civilians are still being killed

Second Risk: Incomplete Implementation by Hamas

The second risk, he said, lies in the opposite direction

Hamas has committed to ending all military activity, but that commitment has not yet been fully implemented

Third Risk: Time

The third risk is the passage of time

Another winter is approaching for people who are still living among rubble and in tents

Mladenov warned that ceasefire agreements that fail to produce tangible results do not survive simply because of patience

“Patience does not preserve them; it exhausts them and ultimately destroys them”

He called on Security Council members to clearly and repeatedly reaffirm what the Council has decided, cooperate with the Board of Peace and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, and preserve the political direction of the transitional phase

Mladenov concluded

“The choice before us remains: either a demilitarized Gaza, governed by Palestinians, rebuilt and reconnected to the world; or a Gaza that rearms, remains divided and devastated, gives rise to another radicalized generation, while the next war looms on the horizon
The End