Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the UN, at the UN Security Council Meeting on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question
New York, 21 May 2026
Thank you, Mr. President,
I thank Deputy Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov for his informative briefing.
I thank the Board of Peace High Representative for Gaza, Nikolay Mladenov, for the comprehensive contribution to the discussion and for delivering the first written report by the Board of Peace on the implementation of the resolution 2803 and for all his efforts.
I also thank Director of Humanitarian Projects in the Gaza Strip at the Palestine Red Crescent Society, Rami Hijjo, for his testimony.
Mr. President,
After two years of devastating hostilities, the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict and resolution 2803 endorsing it, brought a glimmer of hope. We welcome the endeavours of the guarantors – Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the United States – for their ongoing efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region. The release of all hostages, and the exchange of detainees have increased optimism about the prospects for the planned steps. However, six months after the adoption of resolution 2803, recovery has not begun and the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan has yet to yield the expected results. We encourage continued international engagement to consolidate the gains and prevent a resurgence of violence in Gaza.
While the full-scale bombardment of Gaza has ceased, the fragile ceasefire is being violated on a daily basis. We note with deep concern that since the announcement of the cessation of hostilities more than 800 Palestinians have been killed and over 2400 injured. The moving and fluctuating “Yellow Line” further exposes Palestinian civilians to the risk of life-threatening incidents. We call on all parties to adhere to the U.S. brokered ceasefire agreement and to abide by international humanitarian law, respecting and protecting civilians, journalists and humanitarian personnel.
Meanwhile, Hamas has not disarmed. Attacks on the IDF continue. The roadmap for monitored and verified Hamas disarmament is a key part of the full implementation of the Comprehensive Plan and resolution 2803. We condemn Hamas for continuing to reject the disarmament plan. There is no future for the non-state armed groups and terror in Gaza. We are awaiting the deployment of the International Stabilisation Force and internationally trained Palestinian police to take over the responsibility of the security situation and the subsequent withdrawal of the IDF.
Mr. President,
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to be at a level of deprivation that demands urgent and sustained international attention. Food insecurity is a daily reality for civilians, with repeated disruptions to supply chains and limited humanitarian access. At the same time, the health sector continues to operate under immense strain. Hospitals face shortages of medicine and equipment, while overcrowding, malnutrition, and damaged water and sanitation infrastructure raise concern of communicable disease and long‑term public health deterioration.
Concerns regarding dual-use items must be addressed ensuring that restrictions do not impede access to objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population or the rehabilitation of essential civilian infrastructure. Behind every statistic there are civilians, children, and patients, whose dignity and survival depend on our collective ability to uphold international humanitarian law and facilitate meaningful humanitarian access without delay. In this regard, the humiliating and degrading treatment of flotilla’s activists by Israel, as seen in the footage from Ashdod, is unacceptable and violates human rights and international law standards. Additionally, such actions harm Israel’s own interests.
With the support of the international community, the work of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) and its deployment to Gaza is indispensable for restoring dignified living conditions to the people of Gaza. The implementation of its mandate is no less important in terms of creating a social and political environment conducive to a reunited Palestinian self-governance in Gaza and the West Bank.
In light of the international efforts to achieve sustainable peace and stability in the region, a rapidly deteriorating situation in the West Bank is profoundly alarming. Increased settler attacks and harassment, movement restrictions, property and infrastructure demolition lead to the forced displacement of Palestinians and fuel the vicious cycle of violence and radicalization. The extension of EU sanction regimes against Israeli extremist settlers and entities have recently been adopted. This goes together with new sanctions on leading Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad figures. We call on Israel to address the situation, ensuring accountability and fully implementing its obligations under international law. The reform agenda of the Palestinian Authority, conditioned on the release of the withheld tax revenues, must be continued to ensure transparent and improved administration of services.
A political solution is the only way to address the security concerns and the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians. A peaceful co‑existence requires meaningful investment in promoting the two-State solution, as defined by Security Council resolutions and the New York declaration. Latvia reaffirms its commitment to this aim.
In conclusion, Mr. President,
Let me further underscore that urgent progress is needed toward the full implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, including efforts to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Advancing the next steps entails engagement and commitment from all parties. We are looking forward to the Board of Peace to continue reporting on the implementation of resolution 2803 and for the Council to remain actively involved.
I thank you.