During a UN Security Council briefing on the Middle East and the Palestinian issue, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative, Asim Iftikhar, said that despite political progress in occupied Palestine, the situation remains extremely serious with ongoing ceasefire violations.
In his briefing, Iftikhar expressed gratitude to the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Ramiz Alakbarov, for his comprehensive briefing. He highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict in Gaza over the past two years, describing the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians trapped under siege, repeatedly bombed and suffering from severe hunger.
Over 70,000 people have reportedly been killed, the majority of them women and children, and much of the social and economic infrastructure has been reduced to rubble. Calls for accountability have been largely ignored and impunity prevails.
Iftikhar noted two significant developments amid the ongoing Israeli aggression. First, a high-level meeting was held in July to promote a peaceful resolution and the implementation of a two-state solution, which culminated in the adoption of the New York Declaration on 12 September.
The conference also decided to resume discussions on 22 September. The declaration emphasized concrete, time-bound and irreversible steps towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state that reflects the aspirations of the international community.
The other key development was the result of sustained political engagement and diplomacy. The Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit brought together regional and global partners to maintain the ceasefire, address humanitarian devastation and lay the foundations for a credible political path towards Palestinian self-determination and statehood.
This process facilitated the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 last week. Pakistan, as part of this group, welcomed the initiative and supported proposals to end hostilities, rebuild Gaza, prevent displacement, promote comprehensive peace and halt the annexation of the West Bank.
Read: Gaza ceasefire progresses slowly as violence between Israel and Hamas continues
Iftikhar reaffirmed Pakistan’s consistent and principled support for the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights. He reported continued civilian casualties in Israeli airstrikes and noted that over 300 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire was declared, underscoring the gap between verbal commitments and the reality on the ground. Homes continue to be destroyed, lives lost and families live in constant fear.
The West Bank is similarly affected with unprecedented Israeli settler and military aggression. October recorded the highest number of settler attacks since UN monitoring began in 2006.
Villages, particularly in the northwestern West Bank, have been displaced under raids and growing intimidation. Iftikhar stressed that Palestinians must be allowed to return home and live without fear.
He outlined key priorities to advance the peace process: full implementation of Resolution 2803, ensuring Palestinian-led governance, reconstruction and institutional capacity building; strict adherence to the ceasefire with zero tolerance for unilateral actions; uninterrupted humanitarian access; immediate reconstruction of Gaza; prevention of annexation and forced displacement; stop Israeli settlement expansion and demographic manipulation; ensuring accountability for serious violations of international law; end Israeli occupation across Arab countries, including Palestine, Syria and Lebanon; and establishing a credible, time-bound political process based on UN resolutions to achieve a sovereign, independent and territorially contiguous Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Iftikhar stressed that the two-state solution, the New York Declaration and peace initiatives are complementary and must be implemented through coordinated, united action to fulfill the promise of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with international law.
He concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s steadfast solidarity with the Palestinian people, acknowledging their resilience in the face of unimaginable suffering and stressing the responsibility of the international community to match this commitment.
Read more: 22 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza despite ceasefire
He described the present moment as crucial and stressed that promises must now be translated into tangible action. Pakistan stands firmly with Palestine in its quest for dignity, justice, self-determination and statehood.
Gaza Agreement
The UN Security Council voted on November 18 to adopt a US-drafted resolution backing President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza and authorize an international stabilization force for the Palestinian enclave.
Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas last month agreed on the first phase of Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza – a ceasefire in their two-year war and a hostage release deal – but the UN resolution is seen as crucial to legitimize a transitional governing body and to reassure countries considering sending troops to Gaza.
Trump unveiled the 20-point peace plan in late September with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, raising questions about whether the initiative would lead to a two-state solution. The agreement has been met with criticism and concern that Pakistan is wavering from its commitment to the Palestinian cause.
Read also: Pakistan condemns Israeli attacks killing civilians in Gaza
The plan, backed by eight Muslim states – Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt – aims to enforce a ceasefire, protect civilians and begin rebuilding war-torn areas.
Israeli forces killed three Palestinians in Gaza near the line demarcating areas of Israeli control on Monday, underscoring the struggle to extend a fragile ceasefire agreement approved more than six weeks ago to global recognition.
In a statement on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOF) condemned such violations, saying: “Such actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law, relevant UN resolutions and the recently concluded peace agreement in Sharm El-Sheikh. These attacks also undermine international efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the region”.
“The Government of Pakistan reiterates its call to the international community to take immediate steps to end Israeli impunity and ceasefire violations and to uphold international human rights and humanitarian law.”
