Published on: 2026-08-26
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
August 26, 2026 Peace and Security
Against the backdrop of ongoing Israeli strikes on Gaza, as well as the increase in illegal settlements and violence in the West Bank, the UN Security Council is discussing the latest events in the occupied Palestinian territory on Wednesday.
High Representative of the Council for Peace for Gaza Nikolay Mladenov announced a “historic breakthrough”: on July 30, Hamas and other Palestinian groups accepted a roadmap for the completion of the implementation of a comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza.
“For the first time, HAMAS and the armed groups in Gaza have agreed to surrender weapons and transfer full authority – both civil and security-related – to a transitional administration recognized by the United Nations,” he said.
According to Mladenov, an opportunity has arisen to significantly improve the lives of Palestinians in Gaza, ensure long-term security for Israelis, and move from conflict to peace, prosperity, and economic opportunities for the entire Middle East.
Implementation of the roadmap
Mladenov emphasized that the roadmap does not replace the comprehensive plan proposed by US President Donald Trump or Security Council resolution 2803 (2025), nor does it contradict them.
According to him, the document contains three elements that have not been present at any stage in the last 20 years. The first is Hamas’s consent to complete demilitarization and transfer of control over Gaza. The second is the principle of unity of authority, law, and possession of weapons. The third element implies that the transition to each subsequent stage will depend not on calendar deadlines but on the confirmed completion of the previous one.
“There remains a choice to be made: Gaza disarmed, rebuilt, and reconnected with the world — or Gaza rearmed, divided, and lying in ruins, where a radicalized generation is growing, and the next war is already looming on the horizon,” he emphasized.
Strikes on Gaza continue
Acting UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov warned the Security Council about the ongoing uncertainty.
“As long as negotiations on the implementation of Resolution 2803 (2025) and the comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza continue, the ceasefire remains fragile,” he said.
According to a UN representative, full implementation of the roadmap will enable the agreements on the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups, the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces from Gaza, the deployment of International Stabilization Forces, and the transfer of transitional administration functions to the National Committee for Gaza governance.
Alakbarov called on all parties to take advantage of the current momentum, fulfill their obligations, and advance the implementation of the roadmap in accordance with international law.
At the same time, he emphasized that it is extremely important to alleviate the dire situation of the residents of Gaza. After a week-long lull, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza resumed on August 12, while shelling, drone attacks, and ground operations continued without interruption.
“More than ten months after the ceasefire was established, such a situation is unacceptable,” Alakbarov said.
About two-thirds of Gaza’s territory remains inaccessible to humanitarian organizations or is under strict access restrictions. There is also an acute shortage of funding – only forty percent of the requested amount for emergency aid has been received.
Settlements and violence in the West Bank
Meanwhile, the situation in the West Bank, according to Alakbarov, “continues to rapidly deteriorate.” Large-scale settler attacks are ongoing, while those responsible are hardly held accountable.
Israeli authorities have announced a tender for the construction of more than 1,200 illegal housing units in the E1 area east of Jerusalem.
“If implemented, the plan will effectively sever the connection between the northern and southern parts of the West Bank, as well as their connection to East Jerusalem, which will undermine the prospects of creating a viable Palestinian state,” warned Alakbarov.
On Tuesday, Israeli authorities also illegally seized the territory of the Kalandiya training center of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem.
“I once again call on Israel to act in accordance with its obligations under international law. All attempts to seize UNDOF facilities, establish control over them, or expropriate them must cease,” Alakbarov stated.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.