A senior United Nations official has issued a stark warning regarding the dangerously fragile state of affairs in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, emphasizing that a return to war must be prevented at all costs. During a briefing to the UN Security Council on Thursday, Ramiz Alakbarov, the UN acting special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, marked the anniversary of the October 7 events while calling for a renewed political horizon for both Palestinians and Israelis.
Alakbarov stated that both populations deserve a credible path to peace rather than short-term fixes and urged the international community to move beyond rhetoric toward concrete actions to ensure future security and dignity. He noted that one year has passed since a ceasefire was completed, yet the situation remains extremely fragile despite some progress. According to Alakbarov, ongoing Israeli military operations have resulted in approximately 1,500 fatalities, a figure that includes more than 320 children.
Describing the humanitarian conditions in Gaza, the official noted that families are currently forced to live in worn-out tents, overcrowded displacement sites, and badly damaged buildings. He stated that water and sanitation systems have been devastated and that most of the territory continues to live in darkness. He stressed that the people of Gaza must not be compelled to endure another winter without safe shelter and basic services, adding that sustainable recovery and political progress must advance in tandem with emergency assistance.
Regarding the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, Alakbarov reported that the situation continues to deteriorate due to Israeli military operations, movement restrictions, displacement, and attacks on Palestinians. He highlighted that settler violence persists at extremely high levels, with daily attacks against Palestinians. Describing his assessment as realistic, he warned that the desperation in Gaza is palpable and that the risk of a return to war is extremely high. He concluded by asserting that the West Bank is also at a boiling point and that the current frustration among the population cannot be allowed to build indefinitely.
