Pakistan urges UN action on Gaza as the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory continues to deteriorate, with civilians facing severe hardships, hunger, and limited access to basic services.
Speaking during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in New York, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, called for immediate measures to ease the suffering of civilians and address the worsening crisis.
He said repeated violations of ceasefire agreements have intensified the challenges faced by people in Gaza. According to the Pakistani envoy, hundreds of thousands of residents are experiencing hunger and food insecurity, while more than one million children lack adequate nutrition, healthcare, and education.
Asim Iftikhar said a lasting solution to the Palestinian issue requires an end to Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital. He noted that this vision enjoys broad international support and should remain the focus of global diplomatic efforts.
He stressed that humanitarian assistance is an obligation under international law and not an act of charity. The envoy urged full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803, including a permanent ceasefire, uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid, immediate reconstruction efforts, and a credible political process that supports the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
The Pakistani representative also expressed concern over developments in the West Bank, saying increasing settler violence, forced displacement, and the expansion of settlements are further escalating tensions.
Calling for collective international action, he urged the removal of all restrictions on humanitarian aid and demanded immediate, unrestricted, and independent access for relief agencies. He said all border crossings, including Rafah, should remain open for humanitarian supplies, commercial goods, and medical evacuations.
Asim Iftikhar said the blockade on Gaza has contributed significantly to the suffering of around 2.1 million Palestinians. He emphasized that humanitarian aid should never be used as a political tool and called for the immediate lifting of the blockade.
He also urged the Security Council to ensure that humanitarian assistance is delivered without conditions and that UN agencies are allowed to operate freely across Gaza under a comprehensive relief framework.
Highlighting financial challenges, he noted that the UN’s 2026 emergency appeal has received only about 12 percent of the required funding. While welcoming international reconstruction commitments, including support through the Gaza Reconstruction and Development Fund and pledges totaling $17 billion, he said urgent financial resources are still needed to bridge the funding gap.