Statement by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, At the UNSC Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East

It is right that we retain the focus on Palestine. The significance of this discussion is evident from the high-level participation that we see in the Chamber, from His Excellency the Foreign Minister of Bahrain, who was presiding over this session to many other distinguished Ministers, including the Foreign Minister of Palestine, whom we welcome . We thank ASG Khaled Khiari, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, and Mr. Tony Blair for their briefings.

President,

2. The serious situation in the Middle East remains extremely volatile with multiple and interconnected crises. In this environment, strict adherence to international law, the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions, the principles of restraint, responsible conduct and diplomacy are indispensable to prevent further escalation. This was so eloquently put cross by the Ambassador of Liberia in his statement.

3. In Gaza, the ceasefire provided relief, but remains fragile with violations ongoing. More than 800 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes since the announcement of the ceasefire, underscoring both the scale of the crisis and the sensitivity of the situation. Humanitarian aid has resumed but faced with impediments, and thus falling significantly short of requirements on ground. It is essential to fully respect and consolidate the ceasefire, and ensure sustained, unhindered and scaled up humanitarian assistance.

4. We hope that Phase II of the Gaza Peace Plan will be completed at the earliest. Any delay risks eroding the

hard-won momentum and deepening human suffering. The Gaza Peace Plan, as endorsed in Security Council resolution 2803, must be implemented in fully in letter and spirit.

Mr. President,

5. The rapidly deteriorating situation in the West Bank is also alarming. Escalating settler violence, continued expansion of illegal settlements and illegal legislative measures aimed at land confiscation are grave violations of international law that seek to alter the demographic and legal character of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

6. In a joint statement on 2 April, the Foreign Ministers of the Group of 8 Arab and Islamic countries strongly condemned Israeli legislation, and “warned against the increasingly discriminatory, escalating Israeli practices that entrench a system of apartheid and a rejectionist discourse that denies the inalienable rights and the very existence of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).” In a separate joint statement (on 23 April), the Minister also condemned the repeated violations of historical and legal status quo of the Islamic and Christian holy site in Jerusalem by the Israeli occupation authorities, particularly the ongoing incursion into Al Aqsa Mosque. Such action must cease immediately.

Mr. President

7. The High-Level Conference in July, together with the General Assembly’s endorsement of the New York Declaration last year, has established a credible multilateral pathway towards the realization of a Palestinian state. Efforts led by U.S. President Mr. Donald Trump, supported by Arab and OIC countries, have advanced the Comprehensive Peace Plan. We hope that all these efforts, including the Board of Peace, under the framework of Resolution 2803, will lead to concrete steps towards the implementation of a permanent ceasefire, further scaling up of humanitarian aid, reconstruction of Gaza and realization of the right to self-determination of the people of Palestine through a credible, time bound political process – resulting in an independent, sovereign and contiguous state of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds and Al-Sharif as its capital.

Mr. President,

8. In Lebanon, the Israeli military actions, particularly in the south, have resulted in more than two thousand civilian casualties. The extension of the ceasefire for three weeks - brokered by the U.S., is a welcome development. But violations continue as we saw over the weekend. There must be a complete cessation of hostilities. Full implementation of Resolution 1701 also remains essential for stability.

9. In Syria, Pakistan supports a comprehensive approach, based on full respect for its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, supported by inclusive political progress, and sustained humanitarian and economic support.

10. In Yemen, a Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political settlement, supported by consistent international engagement, remains the only viable path to lasting peace.

11. Broader regional tension continues to pose serious risks to international peace and security, as well as to global economic stability. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is adversely impacting countries around the world, including Pakistan. Pakistan reaffirms its full support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of all brotherly states in the region. We stand for universal respect for international law and pacific settlement of disputes.

12. At this critical juncture, restraint, dialogue and diplomacy must prevail. Pakistan remains actively engaged in advancing such diplomatic pathways and advocating for a peaceful resolution of this crisis. The recent talks hosted in Islamabad between the U.S. and Iran stand as a testament to this commitment. Pakistan will continue to support and facilitate efforts aimed at fostering dialogue and stability across the region.

Mr. President,

13. The root cause of instability in the Middle East remains the unresolved question of Palestine and the continued Israeli occupation of the Arab lands. Not the expansionist ambitions; not the suppression of right, not the use of force, it is the vacation of occupation, the realization of a Palestinian state, the two-State solution, that is the only pathway to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace for all in the region. Pakistan will continue to support that objective, while reaffirming its unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and their just cause.

I thank you.