Security Council briefing says Gaza humanitarian crisis persists, urges disarmament and unimpeded aid

At a Security Council briefing on the Secretary-General's quarterly report on implementation of Security Council resolution 2334, the presenter warned that the situation across Gaza and the West Bank remains volatile and that humanitarian needs remain immense.

The presenter said Israeli airstrikes and military operations have continued across Gaza, "resulting in further fatalities and bringing the total killed since the ceasefire to over 1,000, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health." He added that Israeli forces "currently control approximately 70% of the Gaza Strip," a change that has "reduced the space available to civilians."

The briefing credited some humanitarian gains under resolution 2803: the share of households going to bed hungry "dropped from 92 to 36%" and aid agencies expanded water, health and education services. Still, the presenter said sanitation conditions "remain alarming" and that "70% of population lacks dignified shelter," while humanitarians face "persistent constraints" delivering essential assistance.

The presenter urged full implementation of resolution 2803, saying that should include "the disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli defense forces and deployment of international stabilization force." He also outlined a proposed transfer of governance responsibilities to a national committee for Gaza administration, adding that "in coordination with Palestinian authority, the UN is ready to support the committee in providing critical public services and in laying the groundwork for reconstruction."

On the West Bank, the presenter said Israeli military activity in and around Jenin and Tulkarm had "resulted in the evacuation and displacement of Palestinian households, including refugee families," and expressed particular concern over reports of an Israeli military post in Jenin in Area A, which the presenter said ‘‘falls under Palestinian authority's civil and security control.’’

The briefing also highlighted other developments: a reported approval to expand a building used as a yeshiva in Hebron H2 following a transfer of planning authority to the Israeli civil administration; a two-week extension of banking indemnities between Israeli and Palestinian banks until 12 July; and a presidential decree in the Palestinian territories that amended the general elections law, including expanding legislative seats, lowering the electoral threshold, mandating at least one woman among every three candidates on party lists, and committing to hold presidential elections in 2027.

The presenter reiterated the Secretary-General's "strong condemnation of the relentless expansion and acceleration of Israeli settlements in West Bank," calling settlements and related infrastructure "without legal validity" and saying they "must cease immediately." He warned that actions deepening administrative or territorial control and steps such as formal land registration in Area C risk facilitating further settlement expansion and undermine prospects for a contiguous Palestinian state and a two-state solution.

The presenter condemned violence on all sides, decried "numerous instances in which officials glorified violence and engaged in dangerous provocation, incitement, inflammatory language," and said "all incitement to violence must stop immediately." He also raised concern about threats to the status quo at holy sites in Jerusalem and reiterated "the special and historic role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan." The presenter condemned the establishment of military facilities at the Um ar-Rashid Jarrah compound in East Jerusalem and urged Israeli authorities to rescind the decision and return the compound to the United Nations.

Urging international support for aid operations, the presenter called on parties to "facilitate the full, rapid, and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance" and said that "provision of humanitarian aid must never be used as a bargaining chip." He also urged member states to continue to "politically support and financially sustain UNRWA."

The briefing emphasized continued international support for strengthening the Palestinian Authority and preparing it for responsibilities in Gaza consistent with Security Council resolution 2803, and closed with a restatement of commitment to resolving the conflict "in line with international law, relevant United Nations resolutions, and bilateral agreements in pursuit of the vision of the two states." The transcript did not specify the date of the oral briefing in the record provided.

The presenter concluded by thanking the council for its attention.