UN warns Gaza ceasefire fragile as strikes, West Bank moves escalate

A senior United Nations official delivered a stark warning Wednesday that Gaza's fragile ceasefire remains under severe strain, with ongoing Israeli strikes and accelerating settlement activity in the occupied West Bank deepening Palestinian suffering and threatening any path to lasting peace. UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo told the Security Council that "Gaza is still not at peace" despite the October 10 ceasefire agreement.

Continued Strikes and Humanitarian Crisis

"In recent weeks, the Israeli military intensified strikes across Gaza, hitting densely populated areas and killing dozens of Palestinians," DiCarlo reported, despite the truce that halted Israel's two-year war which has killed more than 72,000 people, mostly women and children. Gaza's Health Ministry reports Israeli forces have committed hundreds of ceasefire violations through shelling and gunfire, killing 603 Palestinians and injuring 1,618 since October. While aid access has improved marginally, DiCarlo warned that "the vast majority of Gaza's population remains displaced and continues to endure extremely harsh living conditions," requiring urgent scaled-up entry of shelter materials and medical supplies.

West Bank Annexation Concerns

The UN official delivered equally grave assessment of West Bank developments, stating that "Israeli forces continued large-scale operations across the West Bank, frequently involving live fire and raising serious concerns about the use of lethal force." She warned that "we are witnessing the gradual de facto annexation of the West Bank as unilateral Israeli steps steadily transform the landscape." On Sunday, the Israeli government approved registering large areas as "state property" for the first time since 1967, which Palestinians warn paves the way for formal annexation and ends prospects for a viable Palestinian state.

Pivotal Moment and Diplomatic Path

Describing the current period as "pivotal," DiCarlo acknowledged an opening following devastating conflict but cautioned "that opening is neither assured nor indefinite." She called the upcoming Board of Peace meeting in Washington "an important step" for implementing phase two of the ceasefire and advancing toward a two-state solution. "At this fragile juncture for the region, we cannot afford half measures," she urged, calling for full implementation of the US-led peace plan and international commitment to ending occupation and realizing Palestinian statehood consistent with UN resolutions.