Source: UN News: Saturday, March 28, 2026 00:01 AM
Even amid rising tensions in the Middle East, the international community should not lose sight of the situation in Gaza. This was said in the Security Council on Tuesday by Nikolai Mladenov, who is the top official of US President Donald Trump’s ‘Peace Board’ for the Gaza Strip. This was Nikolay Mladenov’s first appearance in the Security Council as the High Representative of the Peace Board for the Gaza Strip. Tuesday’s meeting was called to consider the implementation of Security Council resolution 2334 (2016). The resolution demands that Israel immediately cease all Jewish settlement-related activities in the occupied Palestinian territories. Tuesday’s meeting was held nearly four months after the Security Council adopted resolution 2803 (2025). This resolution supported the US-backed ‘Comprehensive Plan’ to end the Gaza War, accepting the ‘Board of Peace’ as a transitional administration and giving it the authority to establish a temporary ‘International Stabilization Force’ (ISF). UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe Nikolay Mladenov said that the first phase of the US 20-point plan has been largely completed, under which there was a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in October (2025). …and the ceasefire is holding despite challenges. Under this plan, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) has been formed and has made progress in the process of vetting thousands of civil police candidates. “The National Committee exercises authority only on an interim basis,” he said. “The ultimate goal is a reformed Palestinian Authority capable of governing Gaza and the West Bank, ultimately paving the way for Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of a state.” Contribution of peacekeepers to the ISFIn addition, Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania have committed troops to the ISF. At the same time, his office, together with the US, Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, has prepared a comprehensive framework for the disarmament of armed groups and their integration into society. This framework has been formally presented to all concerned parties and serious discussions are currently underway. Security Council members are also urged to “use all means at their disposal to compel Hamas and all Palestinian factions to accept this framework without delay.” © WFP/Maxime Le Lijour Nikolay Mladenov said that “full implementation of the comprehensive plan is the only way that provides permanent security to Israel.” He stressed that there can be no credible path to Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state if Gaza remains under the control of Hamas and other armed groups. Ramiz Al-Akbarov, UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, also presented to the Security Council the Secretary-General’s latest quarterly report on the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016). Reports indicate that as of March 13, Israeli settlement activities continued at a high level. Israeli authorities have advanced or approved more than 6 thousand housing units in the occupied Palestinian territories – the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The demolition of Palestinian-owned buildings also intensified, while the eviction of Palestinians from their homes and property and incidents of violence against them continued. Overall, 32 Palestinians, including seven children, were killed in the West Bank during Israeli security forces operations, armed clashes and attacks by Jewish settlers. Massive DisplacementMeanwhile, approximately 1.4 million people are displaced in 1,200 locations in Gaza, and many are living in extremely crowded and unsafe conditions. Ramiz Al-Akbarov also presented some of the Secretary-General’s comments included in the report. In relation to the start of the second phase of the US-led plan, he said that the UN chief has described the establishment of the National Committee for Gaza Administration as an “important step”. He said, “It is very important that all parties fully comply with their commitments so that the process of recovery in Gaza can move forward and at the same time a credible political platform can develop towards a two-state solution.”