United Nations (TDI): During a United Nations Security Council briefing on the Middle East and the Palestinian issue, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative, Asim Iftikhar, underscored the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and ongoing violations of the ceasefire.
While acknowledging political progress in occupied Palestine, Iftikhar warned that the situation on the ground remains critical. He thanked Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov for his comprehensive briefing and detailed the devastating impact of the conflict over the past two years.
Palestinians trapped under siege have faced repeated bombings, severe hunger, and mass destruction of social and economic infrastructure. According to reports, more than 70,000 people have been killed, most of them women and children, while calls for accountability have largely gone unheeded.
Iftikhar highlighted two key developments amid the ongoing Israeli aggression. First, a high-level meeting in July aimed at advancing a peaceful resolution led to the adoption of the New York Declaration on September 12. This declaration set out concrete, time-bound steps toward an independent Palestinian state, reflecting the aspirations of the international community. Discussions resumed on September 22 to build momentum for these objectives.
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The second development stemmed from sustained diplomacy at the Sharm El-Sheikh peace summit, which convened regional and global partners to maintain the ceasefire, address humanitarian destruction, and create a credible political path for Palestinian self-determination. This process also paved the way for UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which Pakistan welcomed and actively supported. The resolution emphasizes ending hostilities, rebuilding Gaza, preventing displacement, promoting comprehensive peace, and halting West Bank annexation.
Iftikhar reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled support for the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights. He noted that despite the ceasefire, civilian casualties continue, with over 300 Palestinians killed since the agreement, underscoring a gap between verbal commitments and realities on the ground.
Homes continue to be destroyed, families live under constant fear, and the West Bank has seen unprecedented settler and military aggression, with October marking the highest number of settler attacks since UN monitoring began in 2006.
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He outlined Pakistan’s priorities for advancing peace, including full implementation of Resolution 2803, strengthening Palestinian-led governance, ensuring uninterrupted humanitarian access, immediate reconstruction of Gaza, preventing annexation and forced displacement, halting settlement expansion, holding violators accountable, ending Israeli occupation across Arab lands, and establishing a credible, time-bound process for a sovereign, independent, and territorially contiguous Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Iftikhar stressed that the two-state solution, the New York Declaration, and other peace initiatives are complementary and must be implemented through coordinated international action. He concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with Palestinians, recognizing their resilience amid immense suffering, and calling on the global community to translate pledges into meaningful action.
“Pakistan stands firmly with Palestine in its pursuit of dignity, justice, self-determination, and statehood,” he said.
