Regional tensions continue to escalate as the ongoing US-Iran conflict and increased Israeli attacks threaten the fragile ceasefire in Gaza established in October 2025, which ended two years of war with Hamas.

During the Security Council's quarterly meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, members received updates on the deteriorating situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Gaza and the West Bank. The UN relief agency OCHA reported that since the nominal ceasefire, 1,180 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including 59 between July 15 and 22. In the West Bank, 18 Palestinians have died in settler attacks as of July 20, with 12 killed by Israeli settlers, three by Israeli forces, and three in disputed circumstances.

The humanitarian crisis remains severe. According to the UN-backed Integrated Food Insecurity Phase Classification (IPC), 1.2 million people—59 percent of Gaza's population—have faced crisis-level hunger from mid-April through July, with conditions expected to worsen.

Health concerns are also critical. In the first half of 2026, Gaza recorded nearly 4,000 miscarriages, severe maternal morbidity at 82 cases per 1,000 deliveries, and over 57 percent of pregnant women were anemic. The UN sexual and reproductive health agency UNFPA is conducting a study to identify risk factors and barriers to care.

Efforts to restore essential services continue with support from the UN Development Programme (UNDP), which has cleared nearly 630,000 tonnes of debris from roads and facilities in Gaza. However, this represents only a fraction of the estimated 60 million tonnes of debris caused by Israeli strikes and demolitions since 2023.

Following the October 2025 ceasefire, Security Council resolution 2803 (2025) welcomed the Board of Peace, established by US President Donald Trump, as a transitional administration for Gaza's redevelopment until the Palestinian Authority completes its reform program. The resolution also authorized the establishment of a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza under unified command acceptable to the Board.

The Security Council continues to monitor the situation closely amid ongoing violence and humanitarian challenges.

Sources