UN official warns of the absence of a political track for Gaza's reconstruction and calls for halting the deterioration of the situation in the West Bank
New York, July 28 (KUNA) -- A UN official warned on Tuesday that the sustainability of Gaza’s reconstruction cannot be guaranteed without a political process, emphasizing that any political track will fail as long as the Strip remains devastated and violence escalates in the West Bank. This was stated during a briefing delivered by Ramzy Nakoulah, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs in Palestine, at an open meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
Nakoulah said that the situation in the West Bank is deteriorating rapidly, exacerbating the dire conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory and increasing the likelihood of escalation unless immediate steps are taken to change this trajectory. He stressed the need for the full implementation of the comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza and UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025).
Referring to his recent visit to the Gaza Strip, Nakoulah noted a relative improvement in conditions, but said the pace of progress remains slow amid continued displacement, overcrowding, widespread destruction, and daily casualties resulting from Israeli military operations. He added that Gaza’s residents are showing determination to rebuild their lives despite the difficult circumstances, but emphasized that community resilience cannot substitute for the large-scale entry of reconstruction materials or the political will necessary to put the Strip on a path to genuine recovery.
He also warned that increasing Israeli occupation forces’ airstrikes and expanding areas under their control are intensifying pressure on the population, which is now confined to about one-third of Gaza’s territory. He stressed that humanitarian aid alone is insufficient and that the transition to an early recovery phase must be accelerated.
Regarding the West Bank, Nakoulah said that the continuation of dangerous dynamics there undermines the prospects of building a viable future. He noted that the escalation of violence over the past week has resulted in civilian injuries, displacement, and property damage. He called on the occupation to take immediate and effective measures to prevent settler violence, protect Palestinian communities, and ensure accountability for all those responsible for such attacks.
He expressed concern over the continuation of Israeli military operations, demolitions, and the displacement of Palestinians, as well as the imposition of further restrictions on movement and the acceleration of settlement expansion, affirming that all settlements are “illegal” under international law.
The UN Coordinator also expressed deep concern over the repeated and unauthorized entry of Israeli forces and officials into a training center belonging to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Qalandia, East Jerusalem, during classes.
On internal Palestinian affairs, Nakoulah warned that the financial situation of the Palestinian Authority remains critical due to the occupation’s continued withholding of clearance revenues, which limits its ability to provide basic services and pay full salaries to its employees. He urged all parties to create the necessary conditions for the legislative elections scheduled for November 28, ensuring the participation of all eligible voters.
The UN official reiterated the need for urgent steps to halt the deterioration in the West Bank, support the Palestinian Authority, and create conditions for its return to the administration of the Gaza Strip. (End) A.S.T. / M.A.H.A.
