VIENNA, February 19, 2026 (WAFA) – The Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations and international organizations in Vienna briefed representatives of several UN member states from the Group of Friends of Palestine on the latest developments in the occupied territories.
During the briefing, Permanent Observer Ambassador Salah Abdel Shafi said that Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip is ongoing despite the announcement of a ceasefire, pointing to continued casualties and worsening humanitarian conditions amid declining international media attention.
Abdel Shafi warned of the recent dangerous decisions by the Israeli cabinet to deepen settlement expansion and take practical steps toward annexing the West Bank, calling them grave violations of international law and UN resolutions, and a direct undermining of the foundations of the peace process and signed agreements.
He also referred to the demolition of buildings at the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in Jerusalem, describing it as a serious infringement on UN institutions and an escalation against international organizations operating in Palestine.
Representatives from several countries, including Egypt, Jordan, South Africa, Russia, China, Pakistan, South Korea, Turkey, Tunisia, Iran and Venezuela, took part in the briefing, reaffirming their countries’ support for the rights of the Palestinian people, the need to halt the aggression, and respect for international law and relevant UN resolutions.
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