James Elder, speaking on behalf of the UN children’s agency UNICEF in Geneva, said children were “paying an intolerable price” amid escalating violence and military activity across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.“Between January 2025 and today, at least one Palestinian child has been killed on average every single week,” Elder told reporters.

The remarks come amid intensified Israeli military operations in several West Bank cities and refugee camps, alongside growing displacement and humanitarian concerns in the territory.The United Nations and humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned about the impact of prolonged conflict and security operations on civilians, particularly children, in Palestinian areas.

Israel says its operations in the West Bank target armed militants and are aimed at preventing attacks against Israeli civilians and security forces.

The latest UN comments add to mounting international scrutiny over the humanitarian consequences of the conflict as violence continues across both the West Bank and Gaza.

Qatar’s spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said the Gulf state was also reassured by security guarantees from the United States in the wake of the September 9 incident, which targeted senior Hamas officials engaged in U.S.-backed ceasefire negotiations. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least five lower-ranking Hamas members and a Qatari security official, though top Hamas leaders survived.

Turning to Gaza, Al-Ansari noted that Doha is awaiting Hamas’s formal response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace initiative but expressed optimism that the group would accept the proposal. The initiative, described by Qatar as a comprehensive vision to end the war in Gaza, aims to restore stability to the region.

The spokesperson also confirmed that Turkey will join the mediation team in discussions on Tuesday, alongside Qatar, the U.S., and other international partners, to advance negotiations.

Trump announced Monday that Netanyahu had pledged support for a broad Gaza peace plan designed to secure an immediate ceasefire. The 20-point plan calls for coordinated Israeli withdrawals aligned with the release of the final hostages held by Hamas, with an initial ceasefire taking effect during the process.

The apology and ongoing diplomatic efforts highlight a multilateral push to address the conflict in Gaza, with key regional and global stakeholders working to prevent further escalation and support long-term peace in the region.

“Coming from a medical background, I’m naturally optimistic,” Al-Rabeeah told Arab News on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York. “With increasing acceptance of Palestine by many countries, particularly in the West, we are moving closer to achieving a durable solution.”

The High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, led to the adoption of the New York Declaration—a comprehensive roadmap outlining timebound, actionable steps to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Endorsed by the UN General Assembly with overwhelming support, the declaration provides a multi-dimensional framework covering political governance, security, humanitarian assistance, economic recovery, and legal accountability. Key measures include an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, reunification with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority (excluding Hamas), a temporary UN-led stabilization mission, and a halt to Israeli settlement expansion.

“The people of Palestine have endured immense suffering for many years,” Al-Rabeeah said. “The two-state solution remains the only viable path for long-term peace and a brighter future for Palestinians.”

Al-Rabeeah also highlighted global humanitarian challenges, ahead of a high-level UN meeting on displaced populations. With over 130 million people displaced worldwide and donor fatigue threatening aid efforts, he called for renewed international commitment.

“We face multiple crises — in Sudan, Ukraine, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and beyond,” he noted. “This meeting is essential to highlight the urgency of resolving ongoing crises, preventing new ones, and ensuring a better future for refugees and displaced communities.”