Palestinians are awaiting word on whether UN Security Council representatives will soon visit Gaza and the West Bank. Council President Sacha Sergio Llorenty Soliz announced on Oct. 3 that he plans to arrange a trip in October, but did not specify a date or a possible agenda. Security Council visiting missions have in the past traveled to several regions around the world to assess the situation in conflict zones.
The last time a Security Council delegation sought to organize a visit to the Palestinian territories was in 2012, but the United States opposed the idea before it was even put to a vote. Until now, the council had refrained from proposing another visit, perhaps to avoid another clash with the United States, which as one of the five permanent members of the Security Council can quash such initiatives.