Gaza: UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rose Mary DiCarlo, stated that Gaza continues to struggle for peace despite the existing ceasefire, as recent weeks have seen increased airstrikes by Israeli occupation forces across densely populated areas.
According to Kuwait News Agency, DiCarlo shared her observations during a United Nations Security Council ministerial meeting focused on the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue and the unstable security and humanitarian conditions. She emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to implement the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and to advance toward a political process aimed at achieving a negotiated two-State solution that is acceptable to all involved parties.
DiCarlo highlighted that these efforts should encompass disarmament in Gaza and the establishment of security arrangements that would support transitional governance tasks by the national committee responsible for administering Gaza during the interim period. She also called for a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, considering it vital for recovery and reconstruction, and stressed that these efforts must be led by Palestinians and supported by the international community promptly.
The UN official also raised concerns about the deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank, mentioning that Israeli occupation forces have conducted large-scale operations using live ammunition, which raises serious concerns about the use of lethal force. She noted that these operations involve home seizures, mass arrests, movement restrictions, and repeated displacement of Palestinian families, particularly in northern areas, which further contribute to instability and humanitarian challenges.
DiCarlo pointed out that the ongoing situation indicates a gradual de facto annexation, as unilateral Israeli occupation measures continue to alter the realities on the ground, reshaping the political and geographic landscape of the West Bank. She also conveyed concerns from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regarding reports of decisions by Israeli occupation authorities to transfer powers in Areas A and B, warning that such steps could dangerously expand Israeli civil authority.
In her concluding remarks, DiCarlo stated that the Middle East is at a critical juncture, with a slim but genuine opportunity to change course after years of conflict. She cautioned that decisions made in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this opportunity endures.