The UN Security Council convened a high‑level open debate on Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory on 28 January 2026, with members addressing the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, humanitarian collapse in Gaza, and accelerating settlement activity and demolitions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Key facts and figures:

• Meeting date, 28 January 2026, all‑day open debate, live coverage, and session record published by UN News and UN Web TV.
• Points raised, delegates called for full implementation of the next phase of the ceasefire plan, restoration and reconstruction in Gaza, protection of civilians, and accountability for violations; several states urged recognition of Palestinian statehood, others warned against proposed governance/security mechanisms.
• Specific developments cited during debate, Israel’s approval of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem reported during the session, described by the Palestinian Rights Committee vice‑chair as a “serious setback.”
• Humanitarian toll, hundreds of Palestinians killed since ceasefire noted in debate updates, mass displacement, and UNRWA headquarters demolition in East Jerusalem singled out as aggravating tensions.

Council speakers characterised the current ceasefire window as narrow, conditional on access, reconstruction financing, credible security arrangements, and immediate measures to halt settlement expansion.

Sources:

• UN Security Council open debate records, 28 January 2026, UN News live coverage, UN Web TV session extracts, statements by delegation representatives and the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.