NEW YORK, July 28, 2026 (WAFA) – The United Nations warned on Tuesday that a political process cannot succeed while Gaza remains devastated and violence escalates in the West Bank.

Briefing the UN Security Council (UNSC) on the situation in the occupied West Bank, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov stated: “Gaza’s reconstruction cannot be sustained in the absence of a political process. Similarly, a political process cannot succeed while Gaza remains devastated, violence escalates in the West Bank, Palestinian institutions remain divided, and security conditions continue to deteriorate.”

“The situation in the West Bank is rapidly deteriorating as we have witnessed in the last few days. This is compounding the already alarming conditions across the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, with a wider escalation increasingly likely unless immediate steps are taken to reverse course,” he added.

He stressed the need for the full implementation of the “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict” and UNSC Resolution 2803 (2025).

Referring to his recent visit to the genocide-stricken Gaza Strip earlier this month, Alakbarov said: “During my recent visit, I witnessed immense hardship amid continued displacement, overcrowded living conditions, widespread destruction, and near-daily casualties caused by ongoing Israeli military operations. Yet I also saw Palestinians in Gaza taking courageous steps against all odds to start rebuilding their lives.”

He reiterated that “human dignity should not be conditional and that “the space for recovery has so far been denied,” elaborating that “Community resilience cannot substitute for the required supply of materials at scale – including those Israel considers dual use – or for the political will to set Gaza on the path to a genuine recovery.”

“The increase in Israeli airstrikes and the expansion of territory under the Israeli military’s control continues to increase pressure on the population in Gaza, which is now confined to around a third of Gaza,” he warned.

He noted: “Humanitarian assistance on its own cannot put Gaza on a sustainable track. As we work to increase access and availability of aid, we must accelerate the transition to early recovery by restoring livelihoods, rehabilitating essential infrastructure, providing dignified shelter, and supporting Palestinian institutions capable of leading recovery and reconstruction.”

Highlighting the situation in the West Bank, the UN official said: “Building a viable future for Gaza will not be possible if the PA is pushed to the brink of collapse, or if the current dangerous dynamics in the West Bank are left unchecked.”

He said that the attacks committed by Israeli colonist militias against Palestinian communities, homes, places of worship and civilian infrastructure “have persisted at alarming levels.”

He also noted that “Israeli military operations, demolitions, and displacement of Palestinians also continued, while Israeli authorities imposed further movement restrictions and accelerated settlement expansion efforts.”

He reiterated that all Israeli colonists are illegal under international law.

He also expressed deep concern over the repeated unauthorized entry by Israeli occupation forces and Israeli officials into an UNRWA training center in Qalandiya, East Jerusalem, while classes were in session yesterday.

The UN official warned that the Palestinian Authority's financial situation remains critical as Israel continues to withhold Palestinian clearance revenues.

He noted that the Palestinian Authority is currently unable to provide many essential public services, including education and healthcare, or to pay the full salaries of its civil servants.

He urged all parties to work toward creating the conditions necessary for holding the upcoming Palestinian Legislative Council elections on November 28, ensuring the participation of all eligible Palestinian voters.

Alakbarov stressed that urgent steps must be taken to halt the rapid deterioration in the occupied West Bank, support the Palestinian Authority, and create the conditions necessary for its return to governing the Gaza Strip.

K.F./T.R.