The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to convene tomorrow, Monday, for its monthly open briefing on the ‘Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question.’ Following the open session, closed-door consultations will be held to further discuss the critical issues.
Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator in the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO), will brief the Council on the current situation. The meeting will address the dire humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, where recent heavy rains have significantly worsened the plight of displaced Palestinians. Reports indicate that flooding has impacted an estimated 740,000 individuals across 715 displacement sites, destroying approximately 13,000 makeshift shelters. This has led to increased concerns regarding health and safety, particularly for women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
The briefing will also highlight the insufficient aid reaching Gaza. Despite some increases, the level of assistance remains inadequate due to restrictions imposed on essential supplies. Alakbarov is expected to emphasize the importance of adhering to the ceasefire agreement, which remains fragile amidst ongoing violations. He will likely reference incidents such as the strikes carried out last Tuesday, which resulted in the deaths of at least 25 Palestinians.
The meeting will also focus on the escalating situation in the occupied West Bank. Settler violence has continued to rise, with over 260 settler attacks recorded in October alone – the highest monthly figure since the UN began systematically tracking such incidents in 2006. Tragically, at least 1,017 Palestinians, including 221 children, have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers between October 7, 2023, and November 13, 2023. The Security Council’s discussions are expected to address these critical issues and explore potential solutions to de-escalate tensions and improve the humanitarian situation in the region.
