Recent measures in the West Bank are expected to facilitate the expansion of Jewish settlements on Palestinian land, increasing Israel’s control in the territory, according to media reports. The UN Secretary-General warned that these developments are eroding the prospects for a negotiated two-State solution and called on Israel to reverse the measures.
He reiterated that all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, along with their associated infrastructure, have no legal validity and constitute a clear violation of international law and relevant UN resolutions. The Secretary-General emphasized that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is destabilizing and unlawful, as also noted by the International Court of Justice, and urged all parties to preserve the path to lasting peace through a negotiated two-State solution.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric highlighted that these decisions are moving the situation further away from enabling the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people to exercise control over their own future.
Meanwhile, humanitarian operations continue in the Gaza Strip despite a challenging environment. The UN and its partners are providing hundreds of thousands of meals daily, as well as digital cash assistance and monthly rations to vulnerable populations. Gaza City faces severe shortages of drinking and domestic water, even after the re-opening of the Mekorot supply line from Israel, with only 6,000 cubic meters of water reaching residents daily. Humanitarian actors have increased water production and deliveries from groundwater wells and desalination plants, distributed over 100,000 water jerry cans, and provided tens of thousands of hygiene kits, bars of soap, household latrines, and anti-lice kits.
Humanitarian efforts are further complicated by the threat of explosive ordnance. Since the ceasefire in October, thirty-three incidents have resulted in nine deaths and 65 injuries. Mine action teams have conducted over 200 hazard assessments and reached more than 10,000 children and adults with safety education.
Aid operations are also hampered by restrictions, including limits on the entry of “dual use” or non-humanitarian items, de-registration of some international NGOs by Israeli authorities, and restrictions on UNRWA and other sister agencies. These constraints continue to challenge the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance to populations in need across the Gaza Strip.
