HAMILTON, Canada

The UN warned Wednesday that Israel's continued illegal settlement expansion and related policies in the occupied West Bank risk undermining progress on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, as humanitarian access to the Strip remains severely constrained.

"I brief you today at a moment of both profound opportunity and considerable risk," Ramiz Alakbarov, deputy special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, told the UN Security Council, describing Gaza as facing a potential turning point while warning that instability in the occupied West Bank continues to deepen.

Describing the initiation of phase two of the Gaza ceasefire as "a critical step in consolidating the ceasefire in Gaza," alongside the establishment of subsidiary governing bodies, he said implementation of the next phase "must advance in good faith."

Recalling his recent visit to the Strip, Alakbarov said: "My last visit to Gaza affirmed one truth: the people in Gaza are ready and eager to lead the way to a better, more stable future," citing scenes of resilience such as students taking and excelling in exams despite extreme hardship.

Despite those signs of hope, Alakbarov stressed that nearly Gaza's entire population remains in need of humanitarian assistance. Heavy rainfall and cold temperatures have worsened conditions for about 1.5 million displaced Palestinians who lack adequate shelter.

"The shelter response has suffered from restrictions on the entry of vital materials and technical expertise," he said, noting that shelter sites "do not meet the scale of needs or international standards."

He pointed out that humanitarian actors remain unable to operate at scale due to insecurity and Israeli impediments such as customs clearance challenges, restrictions on authorized partners, cargo delays and denials at crossings, and limited transport routes within Gaza.

While Jordan remains a key humanitarian corridor, he said: "Since 10 October, only 9% of 2,720 processed aid has entered Gaza via Jordan," stressing that "fully utilizing existing, proven regional corridors remains essential to saving lives in Gaza."

Alakbarov also warned that access to public infrastructure and agricultural land remains restricted, while regular detonations of residential buildings and repeated population displacements continue.

He urged Israel to reverse its decision to suspend the operations of some international NGOs, warning the move would significantly impact humanitarian efforts across the occupied Palestinian territory.

Despite the ceasefire, he said Israeli military operations continue across Gaza, with airstrikes, shelling, and gunfire reported daily near or beyond the so-called "yellow line."

He said hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began, "including many women and children," emphasizing that civilians must be protected at all times.

Regarding the situation in the occupied West Bank, Alakbarov warned of entrenched negative trends marked by Israeli military operations, rapid illegal Israeli settlement expansion, illegal Israeli settlers' violence, demolitions, and large-scale detentions.

He said illegal Israeli settlement growth, land declarations, and outpost legalization are carving up Palestinian territory and making vast areas inaccessible.

"These acts are further undermining the prospects for peace and the establishment of a two-state solution," he said, warning: "Unless urgently addressed, they may also jeopardize progress on implementing the second phase of the ceasefire agreement."

He further noted that implementation of the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire is critical and will require firm and collective international commitment.