On 26 August, the Security Council held an open briefing on “the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
“As talks continue on the implementation of resolution 2803 (2025) and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, the ceasefire remains fragile,” said Acting Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov.
He said Israeli strikes on Gaza are ongoing and situation in the West Bank "continues to rapidly deteriorate".
Full implementation of the 15-point Roadmap would advance the Plan’s transitional arrangements. They include disarming Hamas and all other armed groups, the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces from Gaza, deployment of the International Stabilization Force and the transfer of transitional governance responsibilities to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
“I urge all parties to build on this momentum, fulfil their commitments and advance the Roadmap in accordance with international law,” he said.
Also paramount is addressing the dire plight of the people in Gaza. “They are losing hope,” he said.
Israeli air strikes in Gaza resumed on 12 August after a week-long lull, while military activity including shelling, drone attacks and ground operations never stopped. During the reporting period, over 100 Palestinians were killed and over 400 injured, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
Around two thirds of Gaza remain inaccessible or subject to severe access restrictions, and the 2026 Flash Appeal for humanitarian aid is only 40 per cent funded.
“More than 10 months into the ceasefire, this situation is unacceptable,” he said. Key bottlenecks must be addressed and “human dignity must be at the centre of all efforts”.
In the West Bank, large-scale settler attacks continue “with virtually no accountability for these crimes”.
On 18 August, the Israeli authorities opened bidding for over 1,200 illegal housing units in the E1 area east of Jerusalem. “If implemented, the E1 plan will effectively sever the northern and southern parts of the West Bank and its connection to East Jerusalem, eroding prospects for a viable Palestinian State,” he said.
On Tuesday, the Israeli authorities forcibly entered and unlawfully seized the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Kalandia Training Centre in East Jerusalem.
“I reiterate my call on Israel to act in accordance with its obligations under international law. All efforts to seize, control or expropriate UNRWA facilities must cease,” he said.
