S/PV.10068 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Israel to participate in this meeting. I propose that the Council invite the Permanent Observer of the Observer State of Palestine to the United Nations to participate in the meeting, in accordance with the provisional rules of procedure and the previous practice in this regard. There being no objection, it is so decided. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I give the floor to Mr. Alakbarov. Mr. Alakbarov: Today’s briefing is devoted to the Secretary-General’s quarterly report on the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016) (S/2025/807). Before turning to the report, allow me a few remarks. At the outset, I reiterate the Secretary-General’s condemnation of Sunday’s heinous terror attack on Jewish families gathered to celebrate Hannukah in Sydney, Australia. I share in the grief of the Jewish community and stand with Jewish families worldwide as they mark the festival of Hannukah, which celebrates light vanquishing darkness. Turning to the situation in Gaza, the ceasefire remains fragile, as we have seen, with continued attacks and strikes in Gaza. I welcome the ongoing efforts by the mediators to avert further escalation, support implementation of current commitments — including the recovery and return of the last Israeli hostage — and to advance discussions on the next phase and implementation of President Donald J. Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, in line with resolution 2803 (2025). The United Nations is doing its part to support the ceasefire and meet the staggering needs of the population. The United Nations’ winterization efforts are under way, distributing tents, blankets and other essential supplies, reaching people where they are. But conditions remain dire, and the risk of hypothermia is increasing with the onset of winter weather. Tragically, the first hypothermia- related death, of a two-week-old newborn boy from Khan Younis, was confirmed earlier today. Preserving and expanding operational space for the United Nations and its humanitarian partners, including through the renewal of non-governmental organizations registration, is critical. I welcome the partial reopening of the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge crossing for the transfer of aid to Gaza, following a deadly attack on Israeli soldiers there in September. However, supplies through this route are currently capped at low levels. Large quantities of aid are prepositioned in warehouses in Jordan, awaiting full resumption. I urge the authorities of Israel to enable the timely and at-scale movement of life-saving assistance through the indispensable Jordan corridor, in line with resolution 2720 (2023). In a deeply concerning development, on 8 December, Israeli authorities forcibly entered the compound of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine On 11 December, the Israeli cabinet decided to approve or regularize 19 settlements in the occupied West Bank. These include the settlements of Ganim and Kadim in the northern West Bank, which had been evacuated by Israel in 2005. I will now turn to highlighting some of the Secretary-General’s observations on the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016) during the reporting period. I welcome the ceasefire in Gaza based on United States President Donald J. Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict and through the tireless mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the United States. The ceasefire offers a critical opportunity to halt the bloodshed and improve the humanitarian situation. I urge Israel and Hamas to fully implement the ceasefire, exercise maximum restraint and adhere to international law, including relevant United Nations resolutions. The ceasefire must be consolidated to enable recovery and reconstruction in Gaza. The United Nations stands ready to support these efforts. I welcome the release of all living hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and am relieved that families are being reunited after long periods of anguish. I call for the immediate return of the remains of the last deceased hostage. The International Committee of the Red Cross has been indispensable in ensuring that releases and returns occur safely and humanely. I reiterate my condemnation of and remain appalled by the reported ill-treatment of hostages, including sexual violence, and by the withholding of some remains. I unequivocally condemn the killing and injuring of civilians in Gaza, including children and women. While the ceasefire has largely held, periodic Israeli military strikes continue, causing significant civilian casualties and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Armed Palestinian attacks against Israeli soldiers have also continued. Gunfire and shelling near withdrawal lines and attacks on civilians attempting to return home or access land have resulted in further loss of life. Such incidents must immediately cease I am deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where infrastructure damage is catastrophic. While hunger has improved owing to increased aid and commercial foodstuffs, key protein sources remain out of reach for most of the population, alongside severe shortages of clean water, medical care and shelter. Humanitarian access remains restricted, with aid convoys facing logistical and security obstacles. I call on all parties to respect humanitarian law and allow the full, unimpeded entry of humanitarian assistance. I condemn relentless Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which fuels tensions, impedes Palestinian access to land and threatens the viability of a contiguous and sovereign Palestinian State. The expanding settlement footprint, including outposts, coincides with rising settler attacks, further entrenching the unlawful occupation and violating international law, undermining Palestinian self-determination. All Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and related infrastructure have no legal validity and violate international law and United Nations resolutions. In 2025, settlement advancement reached its highest point since the United Nations began tracking in 2017. I urge Israel to abide by its obligations under international law, recalling the International Court of Justice advisory opinion of 19 July 2024, which obliges Israel to cease all settlement activities, evacuate settlers and end its unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory promptly. I condemn rising settler violence across the West Bank, which intensified during the olive harvest. Attacks have become more frequent and violent, often with the presence or support of Israeli security forces. Palestinian farmers have faced assaults, harassment and obstruction from their lands; olive trees are uprooted or burned and entire harvests destroyed. These attacks deprive families of vital livelihoods and risk causing forcible displacement. Israeli authorities must prevent attacks, hold perpetrators accountable and ensure safe access for farmers. I condemn continued armed attacks by Palestinians against Israelis. All violence against civilians, including terror, must cease immediately, with perpetrators held accountable. I remain concerned about the large numbers of Palestinians, including children, detained by Israel since 7 October 2023, including administrative detention without charge or trial. Reports of torture, ill-treatment, including sexual violence, and deaths in custody are deeply concerning. Israel must use detention as a last resort and for the shortest period, prevent ill-treatment and end administrative detention of children. I am appalled by officials glorifying violence and engaging in dangerous provocations, incitement and inflammatory language. Incitement to violence must stop immediately. I am deeply concerned about the Palestinian Authority’s prolonged fiscal crisis, further destabilizing the economy, undermining trust, exacerbating insecurity and eroding social stability. Israeli authorities must cease punitive unilateral economic measures that threaten peace and stability. I remain committed to supporting Palestinians and Israelis in ending the unlawful occupation and resolving the conflict in line with international law, United Nations resolutions and bilateral agreements, pursuing a two-State vision: Israel and a fully independent, democratic, contiguous, viable, sovereign Palestinian State, including Gaza, living side by side in peace and security, based on the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.

I thank Mr. Alakbarov for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

France has joined others in condemning in the strongest possible terms the heinous antisemitic terrorist attack that has plunged Australia into mourning. Nothing can ever justify such violence. We extend our condolences for the victims, their loved ones and the Australian people. We thank the Deputy Special Coordinator, Mr. Ramiz Alakbarov, for his briefing. One month ago, the Council adopted resolution 2803 (2025), aimed at implementing the Gaza peace plan presented by President Trump. That resolution endorsed the progress made in recent months, thanks in particular to the efforts of the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye: a ceasefire, the release of hostages and the resumption, albeit insufficient, of humanitarian aid. This is a first step that must now be consolidated. The ceasefire must be fully respected by the parties, and the United Nations and its partners must ensure the large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Gaza. The body of the final hostage, Ran Gvili, must be returned. At the same time, the situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is deteriorating dramatically, with an alarming escalation of violence. France reiterates that the futures of Gaza and the West Bank are inextricably linked. The violence in the West Bank jeopardizes the prospects of lasting peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis, the success of the peace plan for Gaza and regional stability. I would like to highlight five worrisome ongoing developments in the West Bank. First, Israeli military operations are intensifying, with the launch of a large-scale operation in the north, causing forced displacement, particularly in refugee camps, and human rights violations. The summary execution of two unarmed Palestinians by Israeli border guards in Jenin is a tragic illustration of these abuses. This incident must be investigated fully. Secondly, the spike in settler violence against Palestinian civilians is sowing terror and undermining stability in the West Bank and the prospect of comprehensive peace and security. France calls on Israel to protect the Palestinian population and to punish the perpetrators of this violence. Thirdly, the Israeli Government’s recent approval of 19 new settlements and the E1 settlement project constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and undermines the two-State solution. We reiterate our condemnation of settlement activity and our opposition to the annexation of the West Bank in any form, be it partial, total or de facto. Fourthly, the persistent threats to the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) are unacceptable, including the search of its premises in East Jerusalem in violation of the status of United Nations premises. Any further obstruction of the work of UNRWA, which plays an essential role for the Palestinian people, would be contrary to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice of 22 October 2025. We call on Israel to remove all obstacles to humanitarian aid and to cooperate with United Nations agencies, in accordance with this advisory opinion, including by opening all crossing points and ceasing to arbitrarily refuse goods delivered by the United Nations that are essential for the survival of the population. Fifthly, the Israeli Government’s continued refusal to transfer tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority and to renew the correspondent banking system is unjustifiable. The weakening of the Palestinian Authority undermines its ability to carry out reforms and shoulder its responsibilities in Gaza, as provided for in resolution 2803 (2025). Its financial collapse would seriously undermine regional stability and the very security of Israel. In conclusion, France reaffirms its commitment to the two-State solution, with a State of Palestine living in peace and security alongside the State of Israel. This is the only credible prospect for the peace and security of all in the region, in accordance with the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, adopted in September by an overwhelming majority of the General Assembly.

I would like to thank Deputy Special Coordinator Alakbarov for his briefing on the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016). This is the last meeting on the question of Palestine in which my delegation — the delegation of Algeria — is participating as an elected member of the Council. One might therefore ask if it is still worth repeating what has already been written, what has already been documented and — should I say — what has been ignored? The Secretary-General has spoken. His report (S/2025/807) has spoken. The facts on the ground have spoken — clearly, accurately and relentlessly. In the West Bank, settlements have reached their highest recorded level. Legislative steps have been taken to extend the Israeli occupation law to settlements. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been forcibly displaced. More than a thousand military operations have resulted in the detention of more than 860 Palestinians, among them at least 50 children. Settler terrorism has become a daily occurrence, averaging five incidents a day throughout this year. Just yesterday, Israeli forces demolished two more buildings in Ramallah and East Jerusalem. Thus, more than 1,000 demolitions have been carried out since October 2023. And, in the next few days, 100 Palestinian homes are slated for demolition. This is not an anomaly. It is not a deviation. It is the routine of occupation — an occupation administered with precision and sustained by our silence. We must therefore ask what the Council has done to ensure the implementation of its own resolutions. The answer does not require debate. It simply requires honesty: the Council did nothing. Had such violations unfolded elsewhere, the Chamber would have moved swiftly, imposed sanctions, activated accountability mechanisms and named and restrained perpetrators. Here, however, the opposite has occurred: there has been protection instead of pressure; reward instead of restraint. Is it not this climate of impunity that has emboldened the Israeli occupying authorities to assault, just last week, the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, an act Algeria strongly condemns? United Nations premises are inviolable under international law. This is not subject to interpretation; it is an obligation. I had also intended to speak of Gaza, but Gaza no longer needs description; Gaza needs protection. Despite the ceasefire endorsed by resolution 2803 (2025), the catastrophe persists. As we have seen in Lebanon and Syria, Israeli occupying forces continue to act and continue to bomb as though those ceasefire arrangements bind everyone except them. Since the ceasefire entered into effect, air strikes have continued across the Strip, killing at least 356 Palestinians, including women and at least 50 — I misspoke, every life counts — 58 children, and injuring more than 1,000 others. Since the ceasefire entered into effect, nearly 600 violations have been recorded. This is not a ceasefire. A ceasefire that is violated daily ceases to exist. It becomes merely the management of violence, the normalization of death. Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza continues unabated. We therefore call upon the guarantors of the ceasefire to have the courage to uphold their responsibilities, not with rhetoric but in practice, not selectively but fully so as to ensure that the Israeli occupying Power complies with its commitments in good faith, without exception and without delay. Two years have passed. However, for the Palestinian people, they have amounted to an entire age: a period marked by a brutal aggression by the Israeli occupying forces; an aggression directed at existence itself, in an attempt to annihilate a people, to uproot them from their land and resurrect the tragedies of the Nakba, with all the pain, displacement and deprivation it entails. Confronted with the enormity of this suffering and the magnitude of the catastrophe, Algeria, throughout its membership in the Council, sought to stand by its Palestinian brothers and sisters and to spare no effort to lift the injustice inflicted upon them. Nevertheless, it became painfully clear that the Israeli occupation enjoys impunity within the Council. This is a moment at which the very legitimacy of the international system has come into question and doubt has been cast on its effectiveness. Gaza has laid bare, as has Palestine as a whole, the reality of an international order that no longer recognizes anything but force, in a message, echoing across the world, that the logic of power has become the principal driver of international relations, at the expense of law, of justice and the principles upon which this Organization, the United Nations, was founded. In closing, as Algeria concludes its term on the Security Council, it reiterates, again and again, as affirmed by the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, “Algeria will remain faithful to its commitment, in support of our brothers and sisters in occupied Palestine, and Algeria will spare no effort in defending their legitimate rights until full sovereignty is restored and a free and independent State of Palestine is established.”

We would like to thank Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, for his detailed briefing on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory in the context of the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016). Regrettably, we can only agree with the briefer that the long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza has hardly alleviated the plight of the residents of the West Bank, where, in addition to frequent military raids, the Israelis also launched a military operation in Tubas and Jenin. Since late September, more than 40 Palestinians have been killed and more than 800 have been wounded by Israeli security forces and armed settlers in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. In October, settlers carried out more than 260 attacks, which is an all-time high since 2006. These attacks have become part of a systematic campaign not only to intimidate the locals, but also to strip them of their means of existence. Settler raids against olive harvesters, coupled with drought and limited access for farmers to agricultural land, have already resulted in the unprecedentedly low harvest of 2025. This is one of the main sources of revenue for the residents of the West Bank. Planned construction of new Israeli settlements in the West Bank is progressing at a record pace. Whereas in 2024 there were 26,170 housing units approved for construction, in 2025 this number has nearly doubled, reaching 47,390 units. In parallel, an illusion is being created that this illegal expansion is legally justified. On 12 December, the Israeli Cabinet decided to formally legalize 19 settlements in the West Bank. Moreover, the Israeli leadership persistently clings to the idea of a de facto annexation of the West Bank. The Knesset is considering a bill that would repeal the ban for Jews to purchase land in this part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Against this backdrop, there is an ongoing practice of demolishing Palestinian homes We would like to draw particular attention to Israel’s reprehensible raid targeting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) facility in East Jerusalem on 8 December. Such acts fly in the face of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. We also wish to recall the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice of 22 October, pertaining to Israel’s obligation regarding the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organizations and third States in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. A General Assembly resolution was adopted on 12 December in support of that (General Assembly resolution 80/116). We support the ongoing, uninterrupted work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which is the only source of comprehensive assistance to the Palestinians, both in the Occupied Palestin­ ian Territory and in neighbouring Arab countries. The large-scale, deliberate destruc­ tion of UNRWA facilities and the death of Agency staff must not remain unpunished. Speaking of Gaza, there is a need to recognize that as part of the implementation of President Donald J. Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, it has been possible to stem the large-scale bloodletting and famine in the Strip. However, a lasting ceasefire has not yet been achieved. Since 10 October, Israel has rained down approximately 800 strikes on Gaza, killing at least 386 people. Israel continues to im­ pose severe restrictions on humanitarian assistance. For example, the volume of goods cleared for import covers only 35 per cent of the needs, and entire categories of objects are arbitrarily being prohibited under the pretext that they are dual-use in nature. Under these circumstances, the responsibility for the implementation of the pro­ visions of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict lies with the Unit­ ed States and those States that publicly supported the adoption of resolution 2803 (2025). We trust that future transitional structures in the enclave will be formed, taking into account the views of Ramallah and the transfer of power to the Palestin­ ian Authority in the sector will take place in the foreseeable future. We believe that matters related to the future of Gaza cannot be considered in isolation from the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The international stabilization force is set to play a key role in Trump’s plan. One month after the adoption of resolution 2803 (2025), it remains unclear which States are willing to join this mission. We believe that this is no coincidence. It is one thing to send specialists to a peacekeeping operation that will handle ceasefire monitoring and deconfliction and assist in the establishment of the Palestinian security forces. It is another matter entirely to send them to units whose goal is to attempt to force Palestinian fighters to relinquish their weapons. Such a task risks turning the international stabilization force into a party to the conflict, with all the attendant consequences, which multiply security risks for the foreign contingents deployed there. One cannot expect the international stabilization force to achieve the impossible. We urge the mediators to focus on finding a comprehensive negotiated solution to the problem of disarming Palestinian groups and withdrawing Israeli units from Gaza. Over the past two years, the whole world has witnessed the horrors of failed attempts to resolve the conflict by force. The time is ripe for real diplomacy on the ground — real diplomacy that has nothing to do with loud proclamations and that requires compromise and calm. At the same time, we consistently advocate uncompromising efforts to combat terrorism and extremism in all their forms and manifestations. For this reason, we strongly condemned the barbaric extremist attack in Sydney, Australia, during the celebration of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah on 14 December, as a result of which innocent civilians, including a Russian compatriot, died. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and we wish a speedy recovery to those who have been injured.

I wish to begin by expressing our condolences to the victims of the mass shooting in Sydney and expressing our solidarity with the bereaved families and the injured. I thank Deputy Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov for his briefing. When the Middle East is in turmoil, the world cannot be at peace. The Palestinian question remains at the very heart of the challenges in the Middle East. The latest outbreak in the Gaza conflict has brought unimaginable suffering to both Palestinian and Israeli civilians and triggered severe spillover effects across the Middle East. While the first phase ceasefire agreement in Gaza has been reached, the prospect of peace remains distant. The historical injustices endured by the Palestinian people persist. The Palestinian question should never be relegated to the margins. The international community must further build consensus and take more proactive actions to advance a political solution. First, violent conflict must not resume, and a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza must be secured. Over the past two months, frequent violations of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza have resulted in the death of more than 300 civilians. Reaching a ceasefire agreement must entail the complete cessation of all hostilities, not merely a downgrade from intense conflict to low-intensity attacks. Any reckless violation of the agreement could jeopardize the tenuous ceasefire and ultimately cause it to collapse. China calls on all parties, Israel in particular, to immediately fulfil their commitments under the ceasefire agreement, refrain from actions that could escalate tensions and work towards achieving a genuine, comprehensive and lasting ceasefire. Relevant mediating parties should take concrete steps to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. Secondly, the suffering of civilians must not continue. Urgent action is needed to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Winter storms have brought torrential rains, inundating numerous temporary camps and placing hundreds of thousands of displaced people under severe threat. Israel’s continued restrictions on access to essential supplies are impeding the efforts of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and other humanitarian agencies to deliver critical assistance. Last week, the General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution (General Assembly resolution 80/116) supporting the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which clearly affirms Israel’s obligations as the occupying Power to ensure the delivery of humanitarian supplies to Gaza and to cooperate with UNRWA and other relevant Thirdly, the situation in the West Bank must not be overlooked. Unilateral actions in violation of international law must cease immediately. The occupying Power continues to advance settlement policies, demolish Palestinian homes and condone settler violence, resulting in massive civilian casualties and displacement. Settlement activities violate international law and resolution 2334 (2016), shrinking Palestinian living space and eroding the foundations of the two-State solution. We call on Israel to immediately cease all settlement activities, curb settler violence and refrain from undermining the govern­ ance foundations of the Palestinian Authority. This includes the prompt return of with­ held tax revenues and the removal of restrictions imposed on the Palestinian economy. Fourthly, justice and fairness must prevail. The two-State solution must be implemented without delay. Implementing the two-State solution and establishing an independent State of Palestine constitute the only viable path to resolving the Palestinian question. Any arrangements concerning Gaza’s future must be guided by the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine. Any attempt to alter Gaza’s territorial or demographic composition must be firmly rejected. One month has passed since the Security Council adopted resolution 2803 (2025). The relevant country should act with a sense of responsibility towards the Palestinian people, the Security Council and the international community by providing timely updates to the Council and ensuring the Council’s close and sustained attention and effective engagement. The international community must redouble its efforts to advance the two-State solution, support the swift establishment of an independent State of Palestine and facilitate its full membership in the United Nations. China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights. Recently, President Xi Jinping has, on multiple occasions, comprehensively articulated China’s position and proposals for resolving the Palestinian question and has announced that China will provide $100 million in assistance to Palestine to help to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support recovery and reconstruction. China will continue to work with the international community to promote a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian crisis and make unremitting efforts towards a swift, comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question.

I thank Deputy Special Coordinator Alakbarov. Before I begin, I want to pause to remember those killed and injured on Bondi Beach this weekend, while celebrating Hanukkah. This attack must be called what it is: antisemitic terrorism. President Trump and the United States Government will continue to combat antisemitism wherever it occurs, including here at the United Nations. Last week Ambassador Waltz travelled to Jordan and Israel, where he had the honour of spending time with the mother and father of Police Sergeant Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage in Gaza. There, Ambassador Waltz learned of Ran’s heroism. While off from work on medical leave, he saved dozens of lives before he was ultimately injured in a firefight and dragged to Gaza on the back of a motorbike. The world knows that Hamas and its affiliates knew the location of every hostage, and President Trump was clear: as part of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, every hostage must come home. Ran’s body must be returned to his parents and siblings now. We cannot move forward until he is home. Ambassador Waltz also had the opportunity to visit a warehouse run by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, where aid procured with American taxpayer money sits in warehouses. Some of it is at risk of expiring. However, thanks to United States The Council should also acknowledge that humanitarian aid has surged since the ceasefire began. The efforts of the United States and our partners are improving the humanitarian situation on the ground. More than 30,000 commercial and humanitarian trucks have entered Gaza, bringing food, shelter and medicine, all thanks to the efforts of President Trump and the Civil/Military Coordination Centre (CMCC). We continue to work with the United Nations and others so that supplies can reach those in need without diversion to terrorists or looters. With the Under- Secretary-General and other donor support, the World Food Programme is providing approximately 2 million hot meals daily within Gaza, and it is operating more than 200 bakeries. A successful vaccination campaign inoculated tens of thousands of children, protecting them from deadly disease. Since October, the United States Government has obligated an additional $330 million to the WFP and other non-governmental organizations to continue emergency food and shelter assistance. It also provides support for field hospitals and for addressing water and sanitation needs. All of these improvements are the result of the hard work of the United States and our partners at the CMCC. We call on all in the Council today to contribute to our efforts with the CMCC and the international stabilization force. As Secretary Rubio stated, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is a subsidiary of Hamas. UNRWA operates under the absurd framework that treats Hamas like any other actor, and it rejects any reasonable standards for accountability or the vetting of its staff or partners. We have been clear: the United States opposes these quarterly briefings on resolution 2334 (2016), as they only distract from pressing threats to international peace and security. Resolution 2803 (2025), not resolution 2334 (2016), charts the path towards a stable, safe and prosperous Middle East. We are working with partners to stand up the international stabilization force and train fully vetted Palestinian police, not rehashing decades of failed policies. The Council should recognize its outsized focus on an outdated resolution and end it. The United States remains focused on keeping Israel secure and Gaza and the West Bank stable. President Trump has been perfectly clear that the United States expects the violence in the West Bank to end and that the United States will not allow the annexation of the West Bank. Perfunctory meetings such as this one today are a distraction. The United States and its partners in the region will continue to focus on improving the situation on the ground, day in and day out.

Let me thank Deputy Special Coordinator Alakbarov for his briefing. I would like, from the outset, to express Denmark’s condemnation of the recent terrorist attacks in Sydney. We stand not only with Australia but also with the entire Jewish community in rejecting all forms of terrorism and antisemitism. Nine years ago, the Council took a decisive step. In adopting resolution 2334 (2016), the international community declared Israeli settlements a violation of international law and called for an immediate halt to them. It was an act of real solidarity in an effort to safeguard the two-State solution. Today, however, we face a situation of expanded settlements, intensified settler violence and widespread Let me highlight four critical points. First, all settlement expansions must be halted immediately, and any attempt at de facto annexation prevented. The continued expansion of Israeli settlements, the legalization of outposts, the seizure of Palestinian land and the implementation of the E1 plan are threatening the territorial integrity of a future Palestinian State. Denmark strongly deplores all settler takeovers and demolitions, including in the Silwan neighbourhood of East Jerusalem. We urge Israel to immediately halt these measures, and we recall that attempts to change the demographic composition of the Occupied Palestinian Territory through forcible transfers and deportations are prohibited under international humanitarian law. Denmark is also appalled by the forcible raid of the premises of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in East Jerusalem on 8 December and reminds Israel of its obligations to respect the inviolability of United Nations premises. As underlined by the International Court of Justice, including in its most recent opinion, Israel is under an obligation to cooperate in good faith with the United Nations. Secondly, we must prioritize the protection of civilians. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since 7 October 2023. We are now hearing reports of an average of five settler attacks a day — the highest level in nearly 20 years. We call on Israel to ensure the protection of civilians in the West Bank and the wider Occupied Palestinian Territory in accordance with its obligations under international humanitarian law. Thirdly, we must continue to support the reform and revitalization of the Palestinian Authority and secure reunification of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, under its rule. While the Palestinian Authority is focusing on its reform efforts, resources are urgently needed. We once again call on Israel to immediately release all withheld tax revenues and to renew the relevant bank agreement on a long-term basis. We must prevent the development of parallel structures that might inhibit reunification and Palestinian self-determination. Inclusion of the Palestinian Authority in all matters related to its territory is essential. Fourthly, we welcome the comprehensive plan for Gaza which was recently endorsed by resolution 2803 (2025). Following the long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza, more aid is now coming in. However, we are still far from meeting the tremendous needs on the ground. We are concerned by the continuous restrictions imposed by Israel, including on dual-use items, and call for the opening of more border crossings, including Rafah, and continued access for international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). International NGOs play a crucial role in delivering humanitarian assistance throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory. We are deeply concerned by Israeli registration requirements, set to take effect on 31 December, that will limit International NGOs’ ability to operate in Gaza and the West Bank. We call on Israel to ensure rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, in line with international humanitarian law. In closing, these demands are not new. They are rooted in resolutions passed by the Council. Nor, regrettably, is the information in the sobering briefing we received today new. What must change is how we react. Denmark stands ready to work with all Council members to this end, to pave the way for a future of two States, living side by side in peace and security. At the outset, Sierra Leone condemns the recent attack in Sydney, Australia, during the Jewish celebration of Hannukah. We express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims. At the outset of our tenure, we recalled Sierra Leone’s long-standing engagement on this agenda item, including our first intervention in the Council in 1970 on the plight of the Palestinians and the need to pursue peace through conciliation and reconciliation (see S/PV.1539). We also now recall our previous statement in our first tenure, in 1971, supporting Council action grounded in the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by conquest (see S/PV.1582). Those principles remain relevant today. For Sierra Leone, the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, remains fundamentally a matter of justice and the application of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Our position has been consistent: we support a just and lasting peace through a negotiated two-State solution that guarantees Palestinian self-determination, ends the occupation and ensures Israel’s security. Today, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains grave. The Secretary-General’s reporting confirms wide-scale devastation of civilian infrastructure, alarming levels of malnutrition and continued impediments to humanitarian access. We reiterate the obligation to facilitate safe, rapid, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access at the scale required, and we stress the duty to respect and protect United Nations and humanitarian personnel, medical workers and journalists, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and other United Nations agencies, whose humanitarian mandate and immunities must be respected. We are equally concerned by developments in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, marked by increased settler violence, settlement expansion, demolitions, access restrictions and inflammatory rhetoric. These trends undermine the contiguity and viability of a future Palestinian State. In line with resolution 2334 (2016), settlement activity must cease, and steps must be taken without delay to prevent violence against civilians and ensure accountability for perpetrators. We note positive developments in recent months, attributable to sustained international engagement, including mediation efforts and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict endorsed by resolution 2803 (2025), which helped reduce hostilities, enabled humanitarian operations and supported the release of hostages. While the ceasefire is largely holding and there are signs of stabilization in Gaza, reports from the West Bank, including demolitions, displacement and movement restrictions, remain deeply troubling. We also welcome diplomatic efforts to restore a credible political horizon, including the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, culminating in the adoption of the New York Declaration, aimed at advancing the two-State solution through meaningful international collaboration. As Sierra Leone concludes its tenure on the Security Council, we underline five points. First, we reiterate our support for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, grounded in international law, the protection of civilians and a negotiated two- State solution, with an independent, viable and contiguous State of Palestine, living Secondly, we stress the imperative of compliance with international law and relevant General Assembly actions, including General Assembly resolution ES-10/24 of 18 September 2024, which addressed the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem (see A/78/968). These resolutions call for an end to actions that harm civilians and undermine the two-State solution and for affirmative steps to reverse negative trends. Thirdly, Security Council resolutions, including recent resolution 2803 (2025), must be implemented in good faith. We underscore the expectations set out in that resolution, including that the ceasefire be respected and strengthened; that civilians be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law; that humanitarian access be fully enabled and unimpeded; and that the transitional arrangements lead, within a defined time frame, to unified and legitimate Palestinian governance over the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The cessation of hostilities must be consolidated into durable calm and coupled with credible steps to revive a political process that ends the occupation and restores a viable path to peace. Fourthly, integral to a credible political process is the admission of the State of Palestine as a full Member of the United Nations and the finalization of its statehood. The security of Israel and its full integration in the region must also be safeguarded. The viability of the two-State solution requires that both peoples see a future of hope, dignity and mutual security. Fifthly, reconstruction of Gaza must also be addressed with urgency and integrity. Gaza’s recovery cannot be deferred, nor pursued in ways that entrench displacement or fragmentation. Reconstruction should restore basic services and livelihoods, support the safe, voluntary and dignified return of civilians, consistent with international law, and advance unified and legitimate Palestinian governance within an agreed time frame. Sierra Leone leaves with the hope that the Palestinian question will be resolved without further delay. The Security Council and the international community must continue to consolidate efforts to achieve a permanent and complete cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the West Bank, address the humanitarian crisis and advance a credible political process. The Council must remain seized of this matter and act with unity and resolve.

Panama thanks Mr. Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, for presenting the quarterly report on the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016), which provides a detailed and worrisome assessment of the situation on the ground, both in Gaza and in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Before I begin, I would like to express, on behalf of the Panamanian Government and people, our condemnation of the attack in Australia during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, a celebration of peace. We convey our most heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, whose holiday was marred by terror and extremism. The situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, continues to deteriorate over the long term. The most recent figures show a sustained increase in violence, forced displacement and demolitions. This year to date, more than 1,000 people have been displaced in Area C as a result of demolitions for lack of building permits, With regard to Gaza, the ceasefire that has been in effect since October, achieved thanks to the mediation efforts of the United States, Qatar and Egypt and supported by the countries of the region and by resolution 2803 (2025), has allowed for a relative reduction in the intensity of hostilities and for some humanitarian relief. However, the situation remains fragile. The most recent reports indicate that civilian casualties continue, that the destruction of infrastructure persists and that more than 90 per cent of the population remains displaced, living in extremely precarious conditions. The humanitarian situation remains critical, recently aggravated by severe weather conditions that have caused the collapse of already damaged structures, flooding in medical facilities and new waves of displacement. Panama values and supports the efforts of the United Nations and its partners to expand assistance, including the reopening of health services, the provision of food and support for the displaced population. However, these efforts remain insufficient, given the enormity of the needs. In this regard, Panama stresses that it is essential to maintain the presence and support of the United Nations and its specialized agencies in this new opportunity for peace in Gaza and the West Bank. We reject any action that affects the inviolability of United Nations premises and those of its agencies, and we reiterate that the privileges and immunities of the United Nations must be respected without exception. The full recovery of Gaza requires that Hamas play no part or role in its future. Sustainable peace, the reconstruction of the territory and the dignified recovery of the civilian population of Gaza are incompatible with the presence of groups that resort to extremism. The future of Gaza must be under reformed and unified Palestinian leadership that is capable of guaranteeing security for its own population and its neighbours. Panama reiterates that Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are integral parts of the future Palestinian State and that the viable, sustainable and humane solution will remain one that allows the peoples of Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace, security and dignity, in accordance with international law and the relevant resolutions of the Council.

I thank Deputy Special Coordinator Alakbarov for briefing us today. The year 2025 has been a year of unimaginable suffering for Palestinian civilians in Gaza, for hostages and their families and for the wider region. Yet, there is cause for renewed hope. Thanks to the tireless diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, Türkiye and Egypt, we have a ceasefire, 47 more hostages returned to their families and a 20-point plan for Gaza offering the chance of a peaceful future for the region. We call on all parties to uphold the ceasefire and fully implement resolution 2803 (2025). Israel must lift all barriers to aid without delay and let international non-governmental organizations operate freely. At least 14 people are reported to have died since last week, owing to harsh winter conditions and flooding. We need medical supplies, shelter materials and fuel delivered into Gaza now. United Kingdom-funded tents have entered Gaza to provide urgent shelter for families. This provides a lifeline for 12,000 vulnerable civilians. It is also vital that the remains of the final deceased hostage, Ran Gvili, be returned to his family. Hamas must disarm and unequivocally renounce violence. In that context, I would like to make three points. First, this year has witnessed an unprecedented rise in settler violence against Palestinians, with 260 attacks in October alone. We condemn all such attacks. President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu have committed to tackling settler violence. This must translate into concrete actions to protect Palestinian civilians and hold those responsible to account. We were shocked by reports of Israeli authorities entering a compound of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on 8 December without authorization. United Nations premises are inviolable. Israel must comply with its obligations under international law. UNRWA plays an indispensable role supporting Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza and in the region. Secondly, we reiterate our firm opposition to settlement policies that violate international law and to any form of forcible annexation. The reported approval of 19 new settlements in the West Bank, continued evictions of Palestinian families in Silwan in East Jerusalem and the expropriation of the entire acropolis of Sebastia and surrounding lands take us farther away from peace. Thirdly, the economic situation in the West Bank remains on a cliff’s edge. We call on Israel urgently to release withheld tax revenues, increase shekel transfer limits and confirm a longer-term extension for correspondent banking relationships to avert economic collapse. The year ahead offers a chance to turn a page on two years of tragedy and chart a course towards peace. The United Kingdom will work with all its partners to implement resolution 2803 (2025), promote West Bank stability and develop an irreversible pathway towards a two-State solution.

Pakistan joins colleagues in strongly condemning the heinous attack in Sydney at a religious gathering. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. Pakistan unequivocally condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations. We also thank Deputy Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov for his sobering briefing. The Palestinian people have endured decades of illegal occupation, marked by dispossession and the denial of their inalienable rights. Over the past two years, this suffering has escalated to an unprecedented scale in Gaza. More than 70,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed, with communities destroyed and essential systems collapsing. Despite the bleak reality, the international community has sought to preserve the possibility of peace. The High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in July and the General Assembly’s endorsement of the ensuing New York Declaration (General Assembly decision 80/506) established a multilateral pathway to revitalizing the two-State solution. President Trump’s leadership and persistent efforts resulted in the peace plan and the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit, mobilizing regional and international actors around urgent priorities, namely, ending the bloodshed, maintaining the ceasefire, responding to the humanitarian catastrophe, reuniting families with detainees and hostages and reopening a credible political process towards Palestinian self-determination and statehood. Pakistan acknowledges the facilitation provided by the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye in this regard. No resolution of the Security Council can be unilaterally declared outdated. Its resolutions remain relevant and in force until they are implemented. Pakistan’s position remains principled and consistent: the Israeli occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory must end, and the Palestinian people must be enabled to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination through the establishment of an independent sovereign State of Palestine. The role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) remains crucial and cannot be allowed to be undermined by unwarranted and unfounded criticism. On 12 December, the Foreign Ministers of eight Arab Islamic countries reaffirmed the indispensable role of UNRWA in safeguarding the rights and the well-being of Palestinian refugees. The Ministers condemned the storming of the UNRWA headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem by Israeli forces, as that attack represents a flagrant violation of international law and the inviolability of United Nations premises and violates the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice of 22 October. The Secretary-General’s latest report on the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016) (S/2025/807) paints an alarming picture. During the reporting period, Israeli authorities advanced more than 6,300 housing units in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with a significant concentration in Area C and sensitive areas such as E1. It underscores that settlement activity in 2025 has reached the highest levels since the United Nations began systematic tracking. These actions, as reinforced by the July 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (see A/78/968) and identified in resolution 2334 (2016), have no legal validity and are a violation of international law as they continue to entrench the occupation and undermine the viability of the two-State solution. Looking ahead, Pakistan wishes to highlight the following points. First, resolution 2803 (2025) must be implemented in full and in good faith. The momentum generated at Sharm el-Sheikh must be sustained. The central role of the Palestinian Authority is indispensable. The second phase must be implemented without delay. Second, all settlement activity must cease immediately, in line with resolution 2334 (2016). Any attempt to alter the demographic, legal or historical character of the occupied territories, including around Haram al-Sharif, is illegal and must be reversed. Third, the ceasefire must be fully respected, with no unilateral military actions. The withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza remains essential. Fourth, full, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access must be guaranteed. Fifth, reconstruction should begin without delay, with no annexation, forced displacement or fragmentation of occupied Palestinian land. Sixth, accountability is indispensable, as without justice and respect for international law, there can be no durable peace. Seventh and lastly, a time-bound and irreversible political process, anchored in the relevant United Nations resolutions, must lead to the establishment of a sovereign, It is high time to turn promises into action and to speed up this process. Pakistan’s solidarity with the Palestinian people remains unwavering. We stand firmly with them in their legitimate struggle for dignity, justice and self-determination and for the realization of an independent Palestinian State in accordance with international legitimacy.

At the outset, Guyana condemns the attacks in Sydney during a Hanukkah gathering. We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Australia. I thank Deputy Special Coordinator Alakbarov for presenting the Secretary-Gen­ eral’s report on the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016) (S/2025/807). The report confirms again that the provisions of resolution 2334 (2016) continue to be openly violated — developments that are infringing the rights of the Palestinian people and undermining the achievement of the two-State solution. Having examined the report, I wish to highlight four elements that are particularly concerning to my delegation. First, Guyana has noticed a growing proclivity by actors on the Israeli side to advance legal measures to extend settlement activity in the occupied West Bank. We have taken note, for example, of the introduction to the Knesset of two private bills extending Israeli law to occupied West Bank settlements. Although these bills did not advance beyond preliminary readings nor receive Government support, it is important to take note of the enabling culture that encourages lawmakers who wish to pursue objectives that collide with Israel’s international legal obligations. Guyana therefore urges Israel to abide by its obligations as an occupying Power, as stipulated in international law, including its obligation not to annex any of the territory under occupation. We reiterate our appeal for Israel not to further the implementation of the E1 settlement plan, which would further reduce Palestinian territory. We also underscore that the Israeli legislative measures of which I speak continue to come with an extremely high cost to Palestinians, whose properties are subject to demolitions and seizures or who face heavy fines for refusing to comply with demolition orders. Secondly, on the issue of violence against civilians, regrettably, despite the achievement of a ceasefire deal in Gaza, hostilities continue with ongoing air strikes, shelling and gunfire. Hundreds of casualties have been recorded since the start of the ceasefire. Our anticipation had been that the ceasefire would have led to the silencing of the guns in Gaza and a flood of humanitarian relief for the ailing population, creating the conditions for recovery and reconstruction. However, the Secretary-General’s report and other credible reports make it clear that the reality on the ground still requires drastic improvements, especially now that winter conditions have begun and last week’s torrential rains brought heavy flooding to Gaza. Guyana calls on the parties to the ceasefire agreement to fully comply with the commitments undertaken for the protection of civilians and to advance Gaza’s recovery. The full restoration of public law and order throughout the Strip is also important for this objective. While eyes are trained on Gaza, violence against civilians in the occupied West Bank continues unabated and at increasingly alarming levels, with the operations started by the Israeli security forces in January still ongoing. These operations have resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries and loss of property and livelihoods, and led to the forcible displacement of thousands of Palestinians. The Council must take active steps to protect the civilian population in the occupied West Bank and to halt the mounting violence. Fourthly, the persistent fiscal crisis faced by the Palestinian Authority (PA) is, in no small measure, attributable to Israel’s withholding of revenue and the sword of Damocles it consistently hangs over correspondent banking agreements. If the PA and Palestinian institutions are to be strengthened enough to be able to build a viable Palestinian State, a strong economic base is foundational. In this context, Member States and international corporations must halt all ongoing trade with illegal settlements since such trade enables the humanitarian crisis driven by Israel’s decades-long occupation. The Security Council should therefore consider how to address this aspect of resolution 2334 (2016). As this is the final mandated meeting on the Palestinian question for 2025 and for Guyana’s current term as an elected member of the Council, allow me to offer brief reflections on this file on the Palestinian question. From the very beginning, our conviction was and remains that strong political will is the key ingredient for moving the needle on the question of Palestine. In cases in which it is lacking but needed, that political will can be encouraged and the Council, and the United Nations as a whole, have ways and means to achieve this. It is our responsibility to combat the impunity with which all the actions directly impeding the resolution of the Palestinian question are carried out. To do anything less would be to consent to entrenched impunity. The Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict is a positive step in this direction. As we have said before, however, its implementation must be steeped in international law, and safeguarding and promoting the rights of the Palestinian people must be its centrepiece. The sustainability of the peace that emerges from this plan would be determined by how closely it adheres to these two factors: the rule of law and Palestinian rights. The central role of the United Nations on both aspects must be safeguarded, including by upholding the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations in relation to the Organization. On this note, Guyana strongly condemns Israel’s actions against the property of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in East Jerusalem as a flagrant violation of international law, particularly in the light of the pronouncements by the International Court of Justice on this matter. I conclude by appealing to the entire United Nations membership to apply a simple but profound rule of thumb to all actions pertaining to the Palestinian people and that is — because all people everywhere are born equal — the aspirations we have for our own people should not be different from the aspirations that we have for the Palestinian people. For Guyana, that is certainly what has guided our engagement on the Palestinian question. This will continue to guide us, even as we conclude our tenure on the Security Council, until Palestinians are free, in an independent State, living in peace and security alongside Israel.

I also thank Deputy Special Coordinator Alakbarov for his sobering briefing. At the outset, let me extend Korea’s sincere condolences to the victims of the terrorist attack in Sydney, targeting civilians celebrating Hannukah. We now have a ceasefire in Gaza, thanks to the efforts by the mediating countries: the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye. Yet our sense of responsibility has not been relieved as the humanitarian situation remains dire, attacks continue and winter sets in. For more than two years, far too many people in Gaza have been killed and maimed, including countless women and children. With the entire Strip totally flattened and humanitarian aid still restricted, those living are still experiencing unimaginable daily indignity. Israelis have also suffered greatly. Hostages were released, but not all of them returned home alive, and one body is yet to be recovered. We understand that the most atrocious terrorist attacks in Israel’s modern history left unforgettable trauma on all Israelis. Under this backdrop, we meet again today to discuss the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016), a landmark resolution, adopted nine years ago, reaffirming the principled positions of the Council. This resolution clearly provides “that the status quo is not sustainable and that significant steps … are urgently needed … to stabilize the situation and to reverse negative trends on the ground”. Unfortunately, however, the harsh reality on the ground contradicts the unequivocal provisions of the Council’s resolution. Indeed, contrary to paragraphs 1 and 2 of the resolution, Israel has been rigorously expanding its settlements across the West Bank. Paragraph 6 calls for immediate steps to prevent all acts of violence against civilians. However, we continue to witness unacceptable settler violence. Despite paragraph 7, we also continue to encounter provocative actions, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric, both by Israeli officials and Palestinian armed groups. It is also concerning that the work of United Nations agencies, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, is being constantly impeded. The forcible entry of Israeli authorities into the UNRWA headquarters last week exemplifies, as its Commissioner-General mentioned, blatant disregard of the obligation with regard to the inviolability of all United Nations premises. It is deeply regrettable that during our Council membership, we were unable to reverse this negative trend. However, in the same period, we could hear the ever- louder voice of an overwhelming majority of the international community, calling for an urgent transition from war to peace and from confrontation to coexistence. The High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, held in July and September, served as a crucial occasion to reconfirm the broad global support for the two-State solution. The adoption of resolution 2803 (2025) last month also demonstrated common determination to bring the war in Gaza to an end and to move forward towards a new chapter. This meeting is the final mandated meeting on the Palestinian question during our term on the Security Council. Therefore, let me reiterate our basic but most important positions on this vital issue. First, the Republic of Korea supports the two-State solution as the only viable path towards a just and lasting peace in the region. We believe that the establishment of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory has no legal validity and that all settlement activities must cease immediately. Thirdly, Gaza must not return to its previous conditions. Both parties must halt military actions and abide by the ceasefire agreement, as reaffirmed in resolution 2803 (2025). Hamas must lay down its weapons, and Israel must withdraw from Gaza in line with the standards, milestones and time frames under resolution 2803 (2025). Humanitarian aid, in cooperation with all United Nations agencies, must be ensured at scale. The reconstruction and development of Gaza must commence as soon as possible, and the entry of dignified shelter must be prioritized. In this regard, we commend the efforts by the United States to implement the details of resolution 2803 (2025), including the composition of the Board of Peace and the deployment of the international stabilization force. Fourthly, a genuine process to advance a political horizon between Israel and Palestine must resume. The role of the Palestinian Authority, as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, should be guaranteed. We support the reform and revitalization of the Palestinian Authority and object to any measures that undermines its viability, such as the withholding of tax revenues. These principles have been repeated numerous times. The Republic of Korea sincerely hopes that the Council will soon have meaningful discussions to realize these common aspirations. And we will continue to do our part, both within the United Nations and beyond.

I would like to thank Mr. Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Humanitarian Coordinator. We also welcome the Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016) (S/2025/807). The report once again provides a clear and deeply concerning assessment of developments on the ground and underscores the widening gap between the Council’s decisions and the implementation thereof. Resolution 2334 (2016) is unambiguous. It reaffirms that the establishment of settlements by Israel in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law. Yet, nearly nine years after the adoption of that resolution, settlement expansion continues unabated, at an unprecedented scale, particularly in Area C and East Jerusalem. These actions systematically undermine the viability, contiguity and sovereignty of a future Palestinian State and erode the prospects of a negotiated two-State solution. Somalia remains deeply alarmed by the scale and pace of settlement activity, land confiscations, demolitions and forced displacement of Palestinians, including women and children. Such practices violate international humanitarian law and international human rights law and risk amounting to forcible transfer. This must cease immediately. At the same time, my delegation is gravely concerned about the escalating violence across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. The loss of civilian life, the excessive use of force and settler violence against Palestinian civilians and the destruction of homes and infrastructure continue to fuel instability and despair. Civilians must never be targets. All parties must respect their obligations under international law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality and accountability. The humanitarian situation in Palestine, in particular in the Gaza Strip, remains catastrophic. While we acknowledge recent steps that led to increased humanitarian access, these measures remain insufficient, given the scale of Resolution 2334 (2016) also calls for affirmative steps to reverse negative trends on the ground. This requires more than rhetoric from the Security Council. It requires concrete actions by the occupying Power, meaningful accountability for violations and consistent international engagement to preserve the political horizon. It also requires the rejection of incitement, inflammatory rhetoric and all acts of violence, including acts of terror, against civilians. We underscore that the continued failure to implement resolution 2334 (2016) weakens the credibility of the Security Council and sends a dangerous message of impunity. The Council must uphold its responsibility and ensure that its resolutions are respected and fully implemented. In conclusion, we call on all parties to demonstrate genuine political will, to halt unilateral actions that undermine peace and to recommit to a credible political process. We further call on Israel to release all withheld revenues that it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. My delegation reiterates its steadfast support for the realization of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, in accordance with international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions. Somalia will continue to stand firmly with the people of Palestine in their legitimate struggle for freedom, dignity and self-determination.

I thank the Deputy Special Coordinator, Mr. Ramiz Alakbarov, for his sobering briefing. Let me start by expressing our full condemnation of attacks against Jewish communities worldwide, including the recent attacks in Manchester, United Kingdom, and Sydney, Australia. We condemn in the strongest possible terms all forms of antisemitism, hate, intolerance, racism and xenophobia, including anti-Muslim hatred. A month ago, the Council adopted resolution 2803 (2025), which constitutes a crucial step towards advancing peace, security and stability in the region. Building on the 20-point peace plan mediated by the United States and regional partners, it provides a renewed impetus for efforts aimed at permanently disarming Hamas and extremist actors as a sine qua non precondition for sustainable peace and stability in Gaza. It also lays out the path for restoring Palestinian self-determination and achieving a viable two-State solution. We need to step up the implementation of the peace plan so as not to lose the current momentum, and we call on all parties to abide by its provisions fully and in good faith. Turning to resolution 2334 (2016), which frames today’s discussion, let me outline the following points. Implementing policies that contravene resolution 2334 (2016) leads to rising tensions and instability in the West Bank. The policies also have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation of international law. They constitute a serious impediment to the creation of a contiguous, sovereign and viable Palestinian State. The construction of additional settlement units and outposts, land confiscation, the demolition of Palestinian homes and the displacement of civilian populations all undermine the prospects for peaceful coexistence based on mutual recognition. Against this backdrop, we are deeply alarmed by the sharp surge in settler violence in the West Bank, including attacks targeting Christian communities. We call for the protection of the Palestinian population in the occupied territories, including the Equally concerning is the ongoing economic strangulation faced by Palestinian communities resulting from withheld tax revenues and constrained financial flows. The economic viability of the West Bank is indispensable, not only for the livelihoods of Palestinians but also for the broader peace process. We therefore call for the immediate release of withheld revenues and for the restoration of a functioning Palestinian financial and banking sector. It is a prerequisite for meaningful self- governance and sustainable recovery. The role of the United Nations and its agencies and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in particular, remains central, as the International Court of Justice recently reaffirmed in its advisory opinion. A few weeks after the overwhelming General Assembly vote reaffirming the Agency’s mandate (General Assembly resolution 80/77), Greece reiterates its full support for UNRWA’s essential work. International solidarity and coordinated humanitarian assistance must remain steadfast, especially during winter, to alleviate suffering and uphold human dignity, particularly as harsh winter storms and low temperatures place vulnerable groups at risk in the Gaza Strip. We take heart in the continued and targeted efforts of the United Nations and its partners to deliver assistance. Such assistance must continue and be allowed to flow without impediments. Equally, we look forward to the convening of the upcoming conference on the reconstruction of Gaza announced by Egypt. Greece is ready to assist. In his History of the Peloponnesian War, the ancient Greek historian Thucydides describes the symbolic resilience of the olive tree and, to us Greeks, the olive tree carries through the ages powerful messages of resilience and peace. Extending an olive branch instead of uprooting the tree is, in fact, an act of wisdom. We remain unwavering in our conviction that the two-State solution is the only viable way to ensure peace, justice and security for both Israelis and Palestinians, and we call on all parties to summon the political courage needed to advance along the second phase of the 20-point peace plan.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Slovenia. At the outset, let me join other colleagues in condemning the terror attack at Bondi Beach in Australia. We convey our condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and the Government of Australia. I thank Mr. Alakbarov for the presentation of the report mandated by resolution 2334 (2016) (S/2025/807). This is likely the last briefing on the Palestinian question during Slovenia’s current membership of the Council. Without a doubt, this is the defining issue of the work of the Security Council in this period — a question that will likely define the future of the international community. And, I believe, it was also a milestone that defined many of us as diplomats, on a professional, personal and human level. Albeit with regular violations, a ceasefire is finally in place in Gaza, and we continue to call on all parties to maintain it, but peace is nowhere near. Despite the repeated calls for respect for international law, countless and most egregious breaches were committed in Gaza on our watch. Crippling annexation, despite not being referred to as such, is taking hold in the West Bank. Without redress, we are bound for endless instability, hatred and extremism. We must never forget the voice of Hind Rajab, the screams of people burned to death after a strike on a tent camp in Rafah, the testimonies of the released hostages and the briefings shaking us to our Over these two years, Slovenia acted with the conviction of doing what was right. We were active in the Council through initiatives and calls for Council meetings, working particularly closely with Algeria and Guyana and the other elected members of the Council. We stood up to attacks against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) through shared commitments supported by more than 120 Member States. We recognized the State of Palestine and offered direct financial support to the Palestinian Authority. We voted for Palestinian membership of the United Nations. We joined Norway in calling for an International Court of Justice advisory opinion, and we stand in clear support of the International Criminal Court. What keeps us up at night are the unspeakable horrors taking place in Gaza, above and below ground, and the frequent violations being overseen in the West Bank such as the demolitions in Al-Bustan, displacements from refugee camps, settlement expansions, rising settler violence and, now, the building of a new wall in the Jordan Valley and plans to initiate land registration in the West Bank. We strongly condemn the forced entry of the Israeli authorities into the UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem, the seizure of property and the removal of the United Nations flag. Such actions violate the inviolability of United Nations premises and breach international legal obligations, as outlined by the International Court of Justice’s latest advisory opinion. We call on Israel to fully respect international law and ensure the safety and protection of United Nations personnel. We express our profound concern over reports of consideration of sanctions against UNRWA and appeal against this step. What keeps us up at night is the amount of work that still needs to be done. The three most immediate steps must be to ensure, first, that a ceasefire holds, in line with resolution 2803 (2025); secondly, that a pathway to a credible and time-bound political process is established on the basis of the New York Declaration; and thirdly, that there is accountability. As in any other case, the future of Palestine must be discussed with Palestinians and the Palestinian Authority at the table, and with a strong role of the Council. Palestinians have no other land. Israelis have no other neighbourhood. And we, collectively, have no other solution than the one of two States, living side by side in peace and security. We simply should do more to prevent history from repeating itself. For now, peace is nowhere near. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the Permanent Observer of the Observer State of Palestine.

Allow me to begin by commending Slovenia for its term on the Council. It has shown determination and courage and has been relentless in upholding the principles it pledged to honour, including as expressed in the very moving statement you have just delivered, Mr. President. The Palestinian people will not forget what you stood for during your time on the Council. I also wish to express our gratitude to the other outgoing members, noting that, over the past two years, the elected members, the elected 10, have demonstrated unprecedented leadership in the pursuit of a ceasefire — to save lives, to save humanity and to salvage international law — on the path towards just and lasting peace. I will begin with Algeria, the Arab representative on the Council and a country close to the heart of every Palestinian — the country where we declared our independence. And I am proud that I was a young politician, a member of the We welcome the incoming elected members — Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia and Liberia — and look forward to working with them to advance justice, freedom, and peace in the Middle East and beyond. I thank the Deputy Special Coordinator, Mr. Ramiz Alakbarov, for his briefing and relentless efforts on the ground. Through him, we extend our condolences to the United Nations for the personnel killed in the line of duty and reaffirm our deep appreciation for the indispensable role of the United Nations under the leadership of the brave, principled Secretary-General António Guterres. The International Court of Justice has clearly determined Israel’s obligations as the occupying Power, including its duty to facilitate humanitarian relief by the United Nations and its agencies, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), rather than obstruct its work, continuing to deprive the Palestinian people of life-saving assistance. Israel’s response to the International Court of Justice has been to double down on its breaches of the United Nations Charter and international law. It has violated the inviolability of United Nations premises by unlawfully seizing UNRWA’s compound in occupied East Jerusalem, removing the UN flag and raising the Israeli flag over it. The compound is now occupied, as is the city in which it stands. We welcome the overwhelming support for the renewal of UNRWA’s mandate and for the resolution following up on the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion, and we call for this support to be translated into concrete measures enabling the Agency to continue its vital work in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank and all other fields of operation in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, in support of the Palestine refugees. More than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed. Hundreds of thousands have been injured or maimed. Thousands have been detained. An entire population has been displaced and starved. One figure captures the depth of this agony: during the final months of the Israeli onslaught, the number of babies dying on the very same day that they were born in Gaza was 75 percent higher than before this war on our people began. That is why no one welcomes the ceasefire more than the Palestinian people in Gaza. But Israel has yet to cease fire. Since the 10 October alone, nearly 400 Palestinians have been killed, including many children, and 1,000 more have been injured. Victims and survivors still await relief. Restrictions on humanitarian aid persist. People are enduring a painful, harsh winter without adequate shelter, spending days and nights in flooded tents — inhumane conditions for 2 million people, including 1 million children, who have already suffered far too much. We welcome the sustained engagement of the United States Administration, including at the highest level, to support implementation of the ceasefire agreement. In this context, we welcome the visit of the United States Permanent Representative to the region. We also appreciate the efforts of the mediators and other international partners. We welcome the release of Israeli hostages and hope for the prompt return of the body of the last remaining deceased hostage to his family. We call for the immediate release of the thousands of arbitrarily detained Palestinians and condemn As we approach phase two of the ceasefire agreement, allow me to reiterate several fundamental principles. Gaza is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory and of the State of Palestine, as affirmed by the Council. The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip constitute a single territorial unit. Their unity, integrity and status must be preserved, and they must be unified under the Palestinian National Authority, as affirmed by the Council. Israel must withdraw, fully and without delay, from the Gaza Strip, as affirmed by the Council. This is essential for the success of any international stabilization force. Israel is confessing its aim to transform the yellow line into a border and to partition and annex Gaza and continues to pursue the forced displacement of its population. This must end. There must be one independent and sovereign Palestinian State — one Government, one law and one legitimate security force across the Palestinian territory. The Palestinian National Authority, the Government of the State of Palestine, is always ready to continue fulfilling its responsibility as it relates to our people, to our land and to all components of the land of the State of Palestine, including the Gaza Strip. These principles are fully consistent with three core tenets articulated in President Donald J. Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict: no forced displacement, no occupation and no annexation (see resolution 2803 (2025)). Let me repeat: no forced displacement, no occupation and no annexation. These are the words of President Trump. The unprecedented escalation of settler violence, terrorizing Palestinian communities, must be understood in the context of Israel’s continual policy of displacement and replacement of our people. It is inseparable from settlement expansion, which has reached record levels, with more than 47,000 housing units advanced, approved or tendered in 2025 alone. This violence unfolds alongside home demolitions by the hundreds, destruction of infrastructure and uprooting of entire communities from refugee camps in the northern West Bank to the South Hebron Hills, from East Jerusalem to the Jordan Valley, whereby settler militias are acting hand in hand with the occupying army, systematically targeting our people. The objective is clear and unchanging: annexation. It is evident in East Jerusalem, the E1 area and the Jordan Valley. It is aimed at destroying the territorial integrity of the Palestinian State, and with it, any chance for a just peace. This objective is openly declared by Israeli leaders and reflected in Knesset legislation, military orders and daily actions on the ground. These are facts. The Security Council has been clear, with resolution 2334 (2106) reaffirming in unequivocal terms the Council’s rejection of Israel’s illegal settlement activities and annexation attempts and demanding their immediate and complete cessation. The Israeli Government is actively provoking escalation in the West Bank in the form of mass extrajudicial killings, with more than 1,000 Palestinians killed; mass displacement, with nearly 40,000 Palestinians displaced in two years; widespread arrests, including of children; repeated assaults on communities; unabated incitement and violations of the historic status quo at holy sites; attacks on the Palestinian Authority, incitement against the Palestinian people and Palestinian officials and the theft of our natural and financial resources. These policies are illegal, dangerous and irresponsible. Israel must end, not entrench, its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory in line with the International Court of Justice’s 2024 advisory opinion (see A/78/968). This illegal occupation and apartheid must be brought to an end. That opinion also clearly defines the obligations of third States. We call on all countries to comply with those obligations, rather than be complicit in colonial policies that violate Palestinian self-determination and undermine all prospects for peace. All civilians deserve protection. All attacks against civilians must be condemned. In this context, we join all Council members in condemning the terrorist attack on Bondi Beach, targeting Jews who were celebrating Hanukkah. Nothing justifies attacks against innocent people because of their faith. Such crimes can never be justified, and they should not be instrumentalized. We reject attempts to link such crimes to the recognition of Palestinian rights or statehood. This is irresponsible. Equally irresponsible is the suggestion that condemning Israel’s crimes somehow justifies attacks against Jews. Jews are not responsible for Israel’s actions. Israel should not use them as shields, and no one should turn them into scapegoats. We reject any attempt to associate any religion — be it Judaism, Islam or Christianity — with the crimes of State or non-State actors or individuals. Many Jewish and Israeli voices have courageously denounced the genocide against the Palestinian people. This conflict is political, not religious. Nothing justifies antisemitism. Nothing justifies racism. Nothing justifies terrorism. Nothing justifies atrocities. All civilians must be protected, without distinction. This is what humanity, legality and morality demand, and the Palestinian people are not the exception. We extend our condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and the people of Australia. Neither the ceasefire in Gaza nor de-escalation in the West Bank can be sustained without the international community upholding the rule of law and its own obligations. The New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution has charted a clear path forward. The Palestinian people are entitled to freedom, dignity, security and full respect for their rights. The region yearns for shared peace, shared security and shared prosperity — enough suffering, enough killing, enough agony. President Trump’s efforts have generated desperately needed momentum to stop mass killing and save lives. The ceasefire must be upheld. It has to become permanent. Illegal unilateral measures must be stopped. The illusion that violence and colonization bring security must be abandoned. Shared peace, security and prosperity, in line with international law, must be pursued without delay.

I thank the Permanent Observer of the Observer State of Palestine for the kind words addressed to my delegation and to the delegations of outgoing Council members. I now give the floor to the representative of Israel.

I would like to thank Mr. Alakbarov for his briefing and his work on the ground. On Sunday, 14 December, the first night of Hanukkah, a terrorist attack took place at the iconic Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. At 6.47 p.m. local time, two terrorists opened fire on Jewish people gathered to celebrate. Among the victims were a rabbi, a 10-year-old child and a Holocaust survivor — three generations targeted by the same hatred and terror. Those killed also included an 82-year-old woman from Slovakia and a 27-year-old Jewish engineer from France. This grief does not belong to one commu­ nity or one country alone. It reaches into nations represented in this Chamber today. It reminds us that hatred and terror, once unleashed, do not stop at borders. In the midst of that horror, there was also courage. A Muslim, father of two, Ahmad Al-Ahmad, rushed forward, stopped one of the terrorists and wrested the weapon from his hands. His ac­ tions saved lives. They showed what moral courage looks like when it matters most. This attack did not come out of nowhere. From the steps of the Opera House to the arches of the Harbour Bridge, incitement was visible. Hate was normalized. Inflammatory slogans were dismissed. When calls to globalize the intifada are shouted openly — also here in the city of New York — and when hate speech is tolerated and lies and media distortion are allowed to prevail, violence does not stay theoretical. Jew-hatred festers. Extremists are emboldened. Let this attack be a wake-up call, not just for Australia and its Government, but for every country represented here. When words of hate are left unchecked, terror does not retreat; it advances. Israel remains committed to confronting terror wherever it appears. We will not look away. We will not be silent. We are not afraid. We stand with the Australian Jewish community and all those who refuse to accept hatred, lies and violence as a new normal. Hanukkah is a festival of light. It reminds us that even a small light can push back great darkness. We will never dim our light. As the year draws to a close, people around the world begin to reflect. They take stock of what worked, what failed and what they want to do differently in the year ahead. That is why, at this time of year, people set New Year’s resolutions — not just to declare intention, but to change outcomes. That is the spirit in which Israel comes before the Council today. Looking back over the past year, it is clear what worked for our region and what did not. What worked was the decisive leadership and moral clarity shown by Israel and its allies, especially the United States. Sustained diplomatic and military pressure delivered real ceasefires and created leverage for change. What did not work was hypocrisy and imbalance. Obsessive debates here in the Security Council over Israel’s right to defend itself, political theater in the General Assembly and the weaponization of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice did not advance peace or improve humanitarian outcomes. Across our region and beyond it, the lesson is clear: antisemitic hate fuels terror, and terror spreads when it is excused. Therefore, today Israel is putting forward five New Year’s resolutions for the Security Council to support a new regional reality: no terror, greater accountability and deeper cooperation across the Middle East. The first resolution takes us to Gaza. Two things must happen immediately. First, the final fallen hostage in Hamas captivity, Ran Gvili, must be returned. Secondly, Hamas must be disarmed. In 2025, Israel achieved what many said was impossible. All From Gaza we turn to Lebanon. I know many Council members visited Lebanon a few weeks ago. They met officials there. But the pattern is the same; it is terror- armed, terror-funded and terror-protected. The second resolution confronts the source: Iranian-backed terror. We see it in Lebanon, where Hizbullah’s weapons are not defensive; it is supplied, trained and directed by Iran. And in Lebanon, Council members spoke with the leadership. Lebanon lives with a contradiction: a Government that seeks stability, while a terrorist militia operates with impunity. Israel does not seek conflict with Lebanon. We seek a different future. Recent engagement between Israeli and Lebanese officials shows what becomes possible when Hizbullah is weakened: economic cooperation and growth. But as long as Hizbullah remains armed, Lebanon cannot prosper. Ceasefire commitments must be honoured. United Nations resolutions must be enforced. Dismantling Hizbullah’s terror network is not about Israel; it is about Lebanon, its territory, its people and its future. Hamas and Hizbullah are terrorist organizations. The Council cannot tackle terror while refusing to name it. Designation is not symbolic. It is a prerequisite for peace. So, I hope thatnow, in 2026, the Security Council will do what it has thus far failed to do and formally designate Hamas and Hizbullah as terrorist organizations. We have seen the cost of delay. The result is bloodshed. The Council must confront terror and radicalization wherever they appear — from Bondi Beach to Beirut to Gaza. That brings us to our third resolution — the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Judea and Samaria and the reforms it can no longer delay. Over the past year, Israel has presented the Council with clear evidence that the PA is not doing what it needs to do. It has failed to crack down on terror. It has not held elections, I think, in more than 20 years. It continues to incentivize and glorify violence instead of stopping it. It is impossible to build peace while paying for violence. It is impossible to fight terror while teaching hate. The Council should be clear about its expectations and firm in enforcing them. That is also true in Syria — the subject of our fourth New Year’s resolution. Syria stands at a moment of choice. President Al-Sharaa promises a new future for Syria, but the Council has learned that words alone are not enough. Legitimacy must be earned through actions. If Syria’s leadership seeks acceptance, it must break clearly from the repression that stained its past. That means removing radical and extremist elements from positions of power, ending persecution and protecting minorities. Our final New Year’s resolution looks into the future of the region as a whole and the great hopes we have for it. The Abraham Accords prove that when countries choose pragmatism over rejectionism the results are real. Normalization brought The five New Year’s resolutions I have set out today are about a different future for our region — a future in which terror is confronted, not excused; in which antisemitic hatred is challenged, not tolerated. As the New Year approaches, people everywhere think about their New Year’s resolutions — what worked, what failed, what must change. Our New Year’s resolutions for the Security Council in 2026 are clear: Hamas disarmed in Gaza, Iranian-backed terrorist proxies dismantled, a Palestinian Authority that stops rewarding terror, a Syria that protects its people and a Middle East defined by cooperation and peace.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion of the subject.