The United Nations reiterated its grave concerns Thursday evening over the continued expansion of Israeli settlement activities in the occupied West Bank, emphasizing that settlements violate international law and systematically undermine the viability of a Palestinian state under the two-state solution framework.

Key Points from UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric's Briefing:

• Clear UN Position: Reaffirmed the illegality of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which remain in "flagrant violation of international law."

• Consequences of Expansion: Settlements entrench occupation, fuel tensions, and methodically erode the prospects for a geographically contiguous Palestinian state.

• E1 Area Warning: Construction in the "E1" zone would sever the northern and southern West Bank, critically jeopardizing the territorial integrity of a future Palestinian state.

Call to Action:
UN Secretary-General António Guterres renewed demands for:
✓ Immediate halt to settlement advancement
✓ Cessation of all settlement activities in compliance with international legal obligations
✓ Adherence to the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) advisory opinion (19 July 2024)

Context:
The warning follows accelerated settlement approvals despite repeated UN resolutions, including SC Resolution 2334 (2016).