The proposed actions could facilitate Jewish settlers in acquiring Palestinian land, thereby strengthening Israel’s influence in the area, as per media sources.
The UN Secretary-General cautioned that the current developments on the ground – including this action – are diminishing the chances for a two-State solution, as indicated in a release from his Spokesperson.
Settlements are illegal
He emphasized that all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and their associated frameworks, lack legal validity and breach international law, including relevant UN resolutions.
“Such actions, including Israel’s ongoing presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, are destabilizing and – as affirmed by the International Court of Justice – illegal,” stated the release.
The Secretary-General urged Israel to retract the measures.
He also implored all parties “to protect the only route to enduring peace, a negotiated two-State solution, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and international law.”
Heading off course
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric addressed the statement during his routine briefing to journalists in New York.
“These choices are not guiding us in the right direction,” he remarked.
“They are pulling us further away from a two-State solution and hindering the Palestinian authority and people’s ability to determine their future.”
Ongoing aid efforts in Gaza
Meanwhile, aid workers in the Gaza Strip persist in addressing the vast needs of the population despite obstacles and challenging conditions.
The UN and partners are providing hundreds of thousands of meals daily, along with digital cash and monthly provisions, Mr. Dujarric noted.
Reports indicate that Gaza City still experiences a serious deficit of potable water despite the recent reactivation of the valve on the Mekorot supply line there connecting Israel to Gaza for fresh water.
Water and hygiene support
Currently, only 6,000 cubic meters of water are supplied to Gaza City daily, with significant losses in remote areas.
“To counter this shortage, we and our partners have intensified water production and trucked deliveries from groundwater wells and private desalination facilities,” he mentioned.
Aid partners have distributed over 100,000 water containers throughout Gaza since late January, he added.
They have also provided over 700,000 bars of soap, more than 25,000 hygiene kits, over 400 household latrines, and 250 lice treatment kits.
Explosive ordnance threat
Since Wednesday, humanitarian teams engaged in mine action have conducted over 200 evaluations of potential explosive threats in aid of debris removal.
They reached over 10,000 children and adults last week with information about the dangers of explosive ordnance, which remains a significant threat.
Thirty-three explosive incidents have been reported since the ceasefire was established last October, causing nine fatalities and 65 injuries.
Restrictions and limitations
The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, highlighted that aid workers continue to face restrictions, including limits on the entry of “dual use” items and those categorized as non-humanitarian.
This encompasses spare parts and certain shelter materials.
Humanitarian activities are also hindered by Israel’s de-registration of some international NGOs and limitations placed on the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees – UNRWA – and associated agencies.
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