With the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories remaining “dire” despite the October 10 Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Pakistan has called for steps to ensure adherence to the truce agreement to stop the bloodshed, ensure humanitarian relief and pave the way for the reconstruction of Gaza.
“Israeli airstrikes have killed and injured civilians, including children; more than three hundred Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the ceasefire announcement,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the UN Security Council on Tuesday.
“This reveals a stark truth: peace declared in words has not yet brought full protection and stability on ground,” he said in the course of a debate on the situation in the Middle East.
“Lives are still being lost, homes are still being demolished, and families remain in fear,” the Pakistani envoy said, adding that the settler violence in th West Bank had risen to “unprecedented” levels.
“Entire communities have been displaced, especially in the northern West Bank, amid closures, raids and increasing intimidation.” Ambassador Asim Ahmad said. Palestinians, he added, must be allowed to return to their homes, and communities must be able to function without constant fear.
Pakistan, he recalled had welcomed the initiative and personal engagement of US President Donald Trump and the proposals to end the war, rebuild Gaza, prevent displacement, advance comprehensive peace and halt the annexation of the West Bank. Throughout this period, Pakistan had been constructively engaging, consistent with its principled and longstanding support for the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights.
“Pakistan joined this process, as it offers a pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood,” the Pakistani envoy added
“To ensure efforts translate into progress, resolution 2803 (2025) must be implemented in good faith, notably to advance Palestinian-led and -owned governance”, he said.
Ambassador Asim Ahmad called for full adherence to the ceasefire; unhindered humanitarian access; recovery and reconstruction in Gaza; no annexation or forced displacement under any circumstances; an immediate end to illegal Israeli settlement expansion; accountability for violations of international law; and an end to Israeli occupation of all Arab territories.
There must be a time-bound political process, he said, anchored in UN resolutions, leading to a sovereign, independent and contiguous State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders with Al Quds al-Sharif as its capital.
Reaffirming its unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people, he said their resilience under unimaginable hardship demands equal conviction on part of the international community.
“This is a defining moment, of course: Commitments must now translate into concrete actions,” Ambassador Asim Ahmad stressed.
Opening the debate, Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, called fo seizing the opportunity before the international community to chart a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and the wider region.”
Speaking via video link from Jerusalem, he recognized the commitments by the parties and the exceptional efforts of the mediators – Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye and the United States – in sustaining a ceasefire, describing resolution 2803 (2025) as “an important step in the consolidation of the ceasefire”.
Since coming into effect last month, the ceasefire has largely held in Gaza, the UN envoy reported. However, recent Israeli air strikes on populated areas and continued sporadic attacks by Palestinian militants on Israeli soldiers are jeopardizing the fragile truce, he added, urging all parties to exercise restraint and fulfill their commitments under the agreement.
For its part, the United Nations has redoubled efforts to mobilize and scale up humanitarian aid – seizing the moment to reach the population wherever they are, Alakbarov said.
The UN envoy called on Israel to expand crossing capacity and expedite the clearance of supplies, including UN supplies. The renewal of non-governmental organizations’ registration is also essential, he added.