New York, August 26 (Petra) – The UN Security Council held its monthly meeting on Wednesday to discuss the situation in the Middle East, with the UN warning that the ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile and that conditions in the occupied West Bank continue to deteriorate rapidly.

Acting UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov said addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains of paramount importance, as Palestinians continue to endure unbearable conditions and immense suffering and are increasingly losing hope.

He said that full implementation of the 15-point Roadmap would advance the transitional arrangements outlined in the plan, including the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the deployment of an international stabilisation force and the transfer of transitional governance responsibilities to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.

Alakbarov said that these steps should pave the way for the broader objective of establishing a political horizon that ends the illegal occupation, fulfills the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and advances the two-state solution.

He said the necessary means to move forward on a credible path are available, noting that the relevant Security Council resolutions, together with the Roadmap, provide a political vision, a practical framework and a basis for coordinated international action.

The UN official said that improving living conditions in Gaza requires moving beyond emergency relief and restoring essential systems and services without further delay, particularly sanitation, waste management, healthcare and livelihoods.

He noted that restrictions on the entry of vital humanitarian supplies remain in place, while humanitarian funding remains critically low.

Regarding the occupied West Bank, Alakbarov warned that widespread settler attacks continue amid near-total impunity.

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

He added that Israel, as the occupying power, is obligated to ensure the protection of the civilian population and hold perpetrators accountable.

Alakbarov raised concerns over the reported forced entry by Israeli forces into the Qalandia Training Centre, operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in occupied East Jerusalem.

He called on Israel to comply with its obligations under international law and stressed that all attempts to seize, control or confiscate UNRWA facilities must cease.

//Petra// AK