“Today we meet in a moment of renewed hope,” he said, speaking from Jerusalem.
“While progress on the ground is fragile and deep uncertainty remains, We must seize the opportunity before us to chart a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and the region at large..”
Fragile ceasefire at risk
Last month, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement on the first phase of a ceasefire and the release of hostages following a plan presented by US President Donald Trump.
However, recent Israeli airstrikes against populated areas have caused widespread casualties and destruction, while attacks by Palestinian militants against Israeli soldiers have resulted in deaths.
“This violence is endangering the fragile ceasefire“Alakbarov said, urging all parties “to exercise restraint and fulfill their commitments under the agreement.”
‘First glimpses of respite’
The Security Council “has also taken an important step in consolidating the ceasefire” with the adoption of resolution 2803 (2025), he added.
The text supports the US plan and the deployment of a temporary international force for Gaza.
“While still facing unbearable living conditions and seemingly insurmountable destruction, the people of Gaza have experienced at least the first glimmers of respite after the near-constant shelling of the past two years,” he said.
At the same time, Israeli families have reunited with relatives who were kidnapped.
Others have received the remains of their loved ones, although the bodies of three hostages have not yet been returned.
Displacement, damage and destruction
Mr. Alakbarov reported that “the UN has redoubled its efforts to mobilize and expand humanitarian assistance” in Gaza, but efforts must be expanded.
It highlighted the grim situation on the ground, which includes more than 1.7 million people still displaced and nearly 80 percent of buildings damaged or destroyed.
The senior official visited the destroyed enclave last week, where “the outlook remains gloomy”, highlighting the “critical need to move from emergency humanitarian assistance to enabling communities to rebuild their lives and restore essential services.”
Restore dignity and hope
He said that “The damage in Gaza – physically, economically and socially – is catastrophic..” Therefore, the international community cannot only address immediate physical needs, but also psychosocial needs, social cohesion and justice issues.
“There must be a restoration of dignity and hope,” he said. “These efforts must be anchored in a clear political horizon to resolve the conflict, end the illegal occupation and realize the two-state solution.”
‘Alarming’ violence in West Bank
Meanwhile, in the West Bank “settlement expansion, proliferation of outposts, violence, including settler violence, displacement and evictions continue to increase at alarming levels,” he reported.
Israeli military operations, particularly in the north, have led to death, destruction and the continued displacement of thousands of Palestinians from refugee camps.
“Settler violence has reached emergency levels,” he said. “In October, during the olive-picking season, the UN recorded the highest number of settler attacks on Palestinians since UN tracking began: an average of eight per day.”
In addition, arson attacks and desecration of holy sites by settlers have further increased tensions, while attacks by Palestinians have occurred (including acts of terror, such as a recent ramming and stabbing attack south of Jerusalem).
He insisted that all perpetrators of violence must be held accountable.
Concern for Lebanon and Syria
Turning to the broader region, he reiterated the UN Secretary-General’s call for the parties in Lebanon to fulfill their obligations to maintain the cessation of hostilities.
The agreement, reached between Israel and Lebanon in November 2024, came after more than a year of fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, linked to the Gaza war.
The senior official also echoed the Secretary-General’s call for an immediate cessation of all violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Challenges require commitment
Upon returning to Gaza, Alakbarov said that decisions made now will determine whether the ceasefire holds or not.
He stressed that the first phase of the agreement must be fully implemented and the parties must urgently reach an agreement on the modalities to carry out the next stages.
“The challenges remain immense, but The cost of failure is unimaginable.. “We have the tools to lay the foundation for success, but the work ahead requires unwavering commitment from everyone,” he said.
He said the UN “remains committed to seizing this critical opportunity to move from crisis management to conflict resolution” and that all efforts “must be guided by It is imperative to establish a genuine political process that resolves the Israeli-Palestinian conflict once and for all..”