During a press briefing at the United Nations Security Council on the Middle East and the Palestinian issue, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Asim Iftikhar said that despite political progress in occupied Palestine, the situation remained extremely serious, with persistent ceasefire violations.
In his briefing, Iftikhar expressed his 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 under siege, repeatedly bombed and suffering severe hunger.
More than 70,000 people are believed to have been killed, mostly women and children, and much of the social and economic infrastructure has been reduced to rubble. Calls for accountability have been largely ignored, with impunity prevailing.
Iftikhar noted two important developments amid the ongoing Israeli aggression. First, a high-level meeting was held in July to promote a peaceful resolution and implementation of a two-state solution, culminating in the adoption of the New York Declaration on September 12.
The conference also decided to resume discussions on September 22. The declaration outlined concrete, time-limited and irreversible steps towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, reflecting the aspirations of the international community.
The second key development results from sustained political and diplomatic engagement. The Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit brought together regional and global partners to maintain the ceasefire, combat humanitarian destruction, and lay the foundation for a credible political path toward self-determination and Palestinian statehood.
This process facilitated the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 last week. Pakistan, as a member of this group, welcomed the initiative and supported proposals to end hostilities, rebuild Gaza, prevent displacement, promote comprehensive peace and end the annexation of the West Bank.
Read: Progress on Gaza truce slows as violence between Israel and Hamas persists
Iftikhar reaffirmed Pakistan’s consistent and principled support for the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights. He reported continued civilian casualties in Israeli airstrikes, noting that more than 300 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire was declared, highlighting the gap between verbal commitments and realities on the ground. Homes continue to be destroyed, lives are lost and families live in constant fear.
The West Bank is also affected, with unprecedented Israeli military and settler aggression. October saw the highest number of settler attacks since UN monitoring began in 2006.
Villages, particularly in the northwest West Bank, have been displaced following raids and increasing intimidation. Iftikhar stressed that Palestinians must be allowed to return home and live without fear.
He highlighted the main priorities for advancing the peace process: the full implementation of Resolution 2803, ensuring Palestinian-led governance, reconstruction and institutional capacity building; strict compliance with the ceasefire with zero tolerance for unilateral actions; uninterrupted humanitarian access; immediate reconstruction of Gaza; prevention of annexation and forced displacement; end Israeli settlement expansion and demographic manipulation; ensuring accountability for serious violations of international law; end the Israeli occupation in Arab countries, particularly in Palestine, Syria and Lebanon; and establish a credible and 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 the peace initiatives are complementary and must be implemented through coordinated and united action to fulfill the promise of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with international law.
He concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people, recognizing their resilience in the face of unimaginable suffering and emphasizing the responsibility of the international community to live up to this commitment.
Learn more: 22 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza despite ceasefire
He described the current moment as decisive, emphasizing that commitments must now be translated into concrete actions. Pakistan stands firmly with Palestine in its quest for dignity, justice, self-determination and statehood.
Gaza agreement
On November 18, the UN Security Council voted to adopt a US draft resolution endorsing President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza and authorizing an international stabilization force for the Palestinian enclave.
Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas agreed last month to the first phase of Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza – a ceasefire in their two-year war and a deal on the release of hostages, but the U.N. resolution is seen as key to legitimizing a transitional governance body and reassuring countries considering sending troops to Gaza.
Trump unveiled the 20-point peace plan in late September alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, raising questions about whether the initiative would lead to a two-state solution. The deal has sparked criticism and concerns that Pakistan is faltering in its commitment to the Palestinian cause.
Also read: Pakistan condemns Israeli attacks killing civilians in Gaza
The plan, backed by eight Muslim states – Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, 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 under Israeli control on Monday, underscoring the struggle to expand a fragile ceasefire agreement approved more than six weeks ago and cheered by the world.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) condemned such violations, saying: “Such actions constitute a blatant violation of international law, relevant UN resolutions and the recently concluded peace agreement in Sharm el-Sheikh. These attacks also undermine international efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.”
“The Government of Pakistan reiterates its call on the international community to take immediate action to end impunity and ceasefire violations by Israel, and to uphold human rights and international humanitarian law.”
