new york: The United Nations Security Council convened an open session on Monday to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine, during which Mohamed Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, delivered a briefing on the Secretary-General's latest quarterly report on the implementation of Resolution 2334 concerning Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
According to Jordan News Agency, Khiari voiced deep concern over Israel's continued settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, stressing that such activities fuel settler violence, entrench the occupation, restrict Palestinians' freedom of movement, and undermine their right to self-determination.
He highlighted the UN's alarm over the Israeli government's decision to resume formal registration of land in Area C, warning that this step could facilitate and entrench further illegal settlement growth.
Khiari condemned the demolition and confiscation of Palestinian-owned structures, including internationally funded humanitarian projects, saying such actions amount to violations of international law and raise serious concerns over the risk of forcible transfer.
Addressing the escalation of violence in the West Bank, he pointed to Israeli military operations in the north that resulted in significant civilian casualties including women and children as well as the displacement of residents and destruction of homes and infrastructure, particularly in refugee camps.
Khiari expressed concern over the deepening fiscal crisis faced by the Palestinian Authority, which he said threatens to weaken Palestinian institutions and their ability to provide essential services. He called for an urgent resolution to the issue of Israel's increasing deductions from clearance revenues and other destabilizing financial measures.
He urged the international community to provide immediate support to the Palestinian government to enhance its governance capacity, tackle its financial challenges, and prepare to assume responsibilities in Gaza. This, he added, requires establishing political and security frameworks to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, initiate early recovery and reconstruction, address Israel's legitimate security concerns, and lay the foundation for a viable two-state solution.
Khiari welcomed recent reform measures undertaken by the Palestinian Authority, including the appointment of a vice president, encouraging continued efforts and calling on international partners to support these initiatives.
He also expressed regret over the postponement of a high-level international conference for peace and the implementation of the two-state solution but welcomed the ongoing commitment of co-hosts France and Saudi Arabia to convene the conference as soon as possible.
Touching on the situation in Gaza, Khiari reiterated the UN's rejection of any forced displacement of Palestinians from any part of the occupied territory, which he said would constitute a violation of international law.
He strongly condemned the deaths and injuries of Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid in Gaza, calling for an immediate and independent investigation and accountability for those responsible.
Khiari affirmed that the UN would not take part in any form of aid delivery that violates the core humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality.