The United Nations Security Council reconvenes for an open debate on Thursday, January 29, on 'the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question'.

This month, the US announced it was pushing forward with phase two of the Gaza peace plan, including demilitarisation, post-war governance and reconstruction.

In recent weeks, Israeli forces have undertaken operations in Gaza and demolished several buildings in the East Jerusalem compound of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The move was strongly condemned by UN officials as a breach of international law and a threat to humanitarian operations.