A senior United Nations official has characterized the Gaza stabilization initiative as a potential watershed moment for the region, even as humanitarian crises and military operations persist. Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East peace process, addressed the Security Council on Wednesday, emphasizing that the commencement of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement represents a crucial advancement in cementing the truce.
The statement comes alongside Israel’s burial of Ran Gvili, an off-duty police officer killed while combating Hamas militants, whose remains were recently recovered in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that Gvili’s burial “seals the painful reality of the presence of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip.”
Despite these developments, Alakbarov highlighted that nearly Gaza’s entire population requires humanitarian assistance, with Israeli military operations continuing and tensions escalating in the occupied West Bank.
Palestine’s permanent observer to the UN, Riyad Mansour, asserted that the ceasefire’s success depends entirely on Israel’s complete withdrawal from Palestinian territories and cessation of dictating Gaza’s future. While acknowledging the release of all Israeli hostages and prisoners, Mansour drew attention to the thousands of Palestinian families awaiting the retrieval, identification, and dignified burial of their loved ones killed and buried under rubble.
Academic experts express skepticism regarding the truce’s prospects. Mehmet Rakipoglu, a researcher at Mardin Artuklu University and the University of Exeter, cited Israel’s repeated violations as evidence that its strategy prioritizes sustained military engagement over genuine political resolution. He further noted that U.S.-led peace frameworks appear to favor Israel due to the absence of penalties for systematic violations.
Regional dynamics are also shifting, with Gulf states strengthening cooperation with nations like Türkiye in response to Israel’s escalating aggression, which has transformed Gaza from a localized conflict into a catalyst for regional instability.