"Statement by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, At the UN Security Council Emergency Meeting on the Situation in the Middle East(11 August 2026)*****The two briefings we have heard today are in fact calls for action. The situation, as presented, is grave. The figures quoted, speak for themselves. The distinguished PR of Liberia just reminded this Council of its responsibilities towards the situation that we are discussing.2. Deputy Special Coordinator, Ramiz Alakbarov provided the crux these are not isolated developments these are interconnected steps building on decades of conflict and occupation, that are undermining the prospects of the two-state solution.3. And Deputy Executive Director Hannah Suleiman informed us of the wide-ranging humanitarian consequences of what was happening in the West Bank especially for children. And rightly called for protection. The Council must respond because the situation in the occupied West Bank is deteriorating rapidly. What we are witnessing is a clear pattern of coordinated, illegal measures designed to entrench the occupation, alter the demographic and territorial realities on ground and undermine the prospects of a Palestinian state.4. Settlement expansion has reached an alarming scale. The expansion of settlement in the E-1 area, the launch of the 'Crimson Thread' project, and the settlement activities in the heart of West Bank are all part of a broader effort to fragment the Palestinian territory.5. This is accompanied by unprecedented settler violence. The West Bank has experienced its largest displacement crisis since 1967. Furthermore, expanded unlawful Israeli authority over land registration, administration and enforcement is compounding de facto annexation in violation of the UNSC resolutions and ICJ Advisory opinions.6. Alongside these measures, the continued withholding of Palestinian revenues is severely undermining Palestinian institutions. These revenues belong to the Palestinian people and must be released immediately and in full.7. We are equally alarmed by escalating provocations at Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif. On 24 July, the Group of 8 Arab-Islamic countries, in their statement have condemned the continued mass incursions by settlers.8. The cumulative effect of these mutually destructive policies and actions is intimidation, dispossession, and forced displacement, thereby perpetuating cycle of occupation and annexation, all in flagrant violation of international law.Madam President,9. In Gaza, the humanitarian situation is extremely fragile. President Trumps Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict provided an important opportunity to alleviate humanitarian suffering and advance a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood. This opportunity must not be squandered.10. Pakistan has welcomed the positive developments under the Board of Peace towards the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan and Resolution 2803. We appreciate the mediators, including the United States of America, Egypt, Qatar, and Trkiye, for their sustained efforts However, Israels continuing military escalations, and rejection of the Roadmap, risk undermining this diplomatic process and jeopardizing the prospects for peace.11. In view of the concerning developments, the international community, and this Council must act without delay.First, the Council must ensure that Israel, the occupying power, immediately halt all settlement activity, and reverse all unlawful measures aimed at altering the status, character and demographic composition of the Occupied Palestinian Territory in line with relevant Security Council resolutions including resolution 2334.Second, settler violence needs to end immediately. Those responsible must be held accountable.Third, the Palestinian people must be provided international protection as requested by the Palestinian President. The Council must respond to the 4 recommendations concerning protection made by UNICEF today.Fourth, Israel must respect the historical and legal status quo at the holy sites including Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif and halt all provocative actions.Fifth, SC resolution 2803 and the Comprehensive Peace Plan must be implemented fully and in good faith. The Council must have a serious discussion on how to tackle the obstacles and violations.Madam President,12. As the Foreign Minister of the Group of 8 Arab and Islamic countries, including Pakistan, have affirmed on 6 August, the ongoing Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip cannot be viewed in isolation from the attacks carried out by settlers in the Occupied West Bank, the unlawful expansion of settlements, and the unilateral measures aimed at altering the status quo in Occupied Jerusalem. Taken together, these practices constitute a systematic policy aimed at imposing a fait accompli by force, undermining the foundations of the two-State solution13. The situation is approaching a dangerous tipping point. Unless this trajectory is reversed, the consequences for the two-State solution - and for peace and stability across the region - could be catastrophic. The path to peace lies in ending the Israeli occupation and enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination, through the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable and contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. It is the only credible foundation for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.I thank you."