The UN Security Council is set to convene an open briefing on Monday, followed by closed consultations, to discuss the situation in occupied Palestinian territories under the agenda item "The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question." The session will feature briefings from Ramiz Alakbarov, Acting Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator in the Office of the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, and representatives from civil society.
Alakbarov's briefing is expected to highlight the deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank, where violence by Israeli settlers and settlement expansion have continued to escalate. According to the latest report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as of September 18, over 1,600 settler attacks have been recorded this year, resulting in Palestinian casualties and property damage, with an average of 6.7 attacks per day, compared to 5 per day in 2025.
The OCHA report also noted that over 4,300 Palestinians have been displaced since the beginning of the year, with around 60% due to settler attacks and related access restrictions, and the rest due to building demolitions and evictions. The situation in Gaza is also expected to be a focus of the meeting, where despite a ceasefire agreement, violence and humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate.
According to a report by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), citing Palestinian health authorities, 1,394 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire announcement in October 2025, bringing the total number of fatalities since October 2023 to 73,914. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains a pressing concern.
During the session, most members of the Security Council are expected to condemn settler violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank, reaffirming that settlements are illegal under international law, and call for a credible path towards a two-state solution. The international community has been closely watching the developments in the region.
The open briefing and subsequent closed consultations aim to address the escalating tensions and violence in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Security Council's discussion will focus on finding a peaceful resolution to the situation and promoting stability in the region.
The situation in occupied Palestinian territories remains a pressing concern for the international community, with ongoing violence and humanitarian challenges. The UN Security Council's meeting on Monday will provide an opportunity for member states to discuss the situation and potential next steps.
Key points
- The UN Security Council will hold an open briefing on the situation in occupied Palestinian territories on Monday.
- The situation in the West Bank and Gaza will be a focus of the meeting.
- The international community is expected to condemn settler violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank.
