ISRAELI OCCUPIED GAZA, 20 June. - (ANA) - The Security Council debated conditions in Gaza at the request of its 10 elected members amid concern that the territory's humanitarian crisis is being overshadowed by wider regional developments. 

 

The meeting took place under a ceasefire that has existed in name since October 2025 – but nearly 1,000 Palestinians have been killed, and most Gazans remain displaced. Relief chief Tom Fletcher told ambassadors that “fragile gains” since the truce are “the bare minimum of what Palestinians need.” 

 

 

 

 

While the ceasefire and commitments made under resolution 2803 (2025) have eased some suffering in Gaza, the violence continues, speakers told the Security Council today, with over 1,000 Palestinians killed since the ceasefire entered into force and millions struggling to survive a humanitarian catastrophe.  Several blamed Israel for limiting aid access to those in need, while others accused Hamas of exploiting deliveries.

 

 

 

 

Millions of Gazans still lack safety, shelter, clean water, healthcare - even a fully functioning hospital to attend to growing needs - with the Emergency Relief Coordinator calling Gaza the "most dangerous" place on earth to deliver aid.  Access remains inadequate and basic goods are unaffordable, speakers said, including wheat and eggs which have quintupled in price.

 

 

 

 

Speakers pushed the Council to take immediate action, ensuring parties fully uphold commitments in resolution 2803 (2025), protect civilians and end the violence and political brinksmanship that is placing Palestinians at even greater risk.

 

 

 

 

A just and comprehensive peace will only be possible by ending Israel’s occupation of the occupied Palestinian territories, said Ambassador Abdulaziz M. Alwasil of Saudi Arabia, speaking for the Arab Group.

 

He voiced serious concern over Israel’s targeting of civilians, settlement expansion, land confiscation and annexation of Palestinian territory.

 

The International Court of Justice opinion on the occupied Palestinian territories must be respected.

 

He called for a comprehensive plan to end to the occupation, guarantees for the protection of civilians and the launch of a serious political track - one that would remedy the root causes of the conflict and lead to a two-State solution.

 

He rejected all measures that hinder aid delivery or use it as a means of political pressure, which constitutes a collective punishment of Palestinian civilians.

 

 

 

 

Ambassador Anna M. Evstigneeva of the Russian Federation highlighted the deaths of 1,005 Palestinians since the ceasefire, the high-profile murder of a doctor from Jaffa Hospital and continued westward movement of the yellow line, which are all imperiling implementation of the Peace Plan.

 

She took issue with persistent limitations of critically important goods under the pretext that they are dual use in nature, including tents, blankets, diapers, crutches and wheelchairs.

 

"The healthcare situation remains critical," she warned.  Not a single fully operational hospital is left standing in Gaza.

 

 

 

 

“Death and suffering remain the daily reality in Gaza,” said Ambassador Fu Cong of China.

 

Israeli military operations have claimed nearly 1,000 lives, he said, voicing deep concern over Israel’s expansion of military occupation, extension of the yellow line zone - and worse - its threats to control 70 per cent of Gaza’s territory. 

 

He urged parties, particularly Israel, to fully comply with the ceasefire. 

 

It is essential to fully expand humanitarian access in Gaza, he said, denouncing Israel’s “draconian” restrictions that keep over 2 million Gazans trapped in an open-air prison.

 

Humanitarian agencies must be able to operate, he said, calling UNRWA the “backbone” of such operations and pressing Israel to stop suppressing the Agency’s work.

 

“Gaza is the homeland of the Palestinian people,” he insisted.  Any creation of new mechanisms must promote the two-State solution.

 

 

 

 

Despite efforts by the Board of Peace, the “stark picture” in Gaza is one of continued civilian suffering and a humanitarian situation in crisis, said Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen of Denmark.

 

This is “far" from what was intended last November, when the Council adopted resolution 2803 (2025), which is why Denmark joined others in calling for today’s urgent briefing.

 

On humanitarian access, she said the parties must deliver on the commitments of the Comprehensive Peace Plan, stressing that aid entering Gaza has been largely insufficient – in quantity and quality.

 

Access is inconsistent and below agreed commitments. 

 

Israel's aid restrictions mean most of Gazans are unable to access affordable, nutritious food.

 

She called on Israel to reopen the medical corridor from Gaza to the West Bank.

 

A sustained ceasefire is "the single most important enabler" of humanitarian aid and early recovery, she insisted, expressing alarm over Israel's decision to de-register international NGOs.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/20 June 2026 - - -