UN chief warns Israeli settlements threaten “Two-State Solution”
WORLD, Aug. 30 (YPA) – The UN Secretary-General António Guterres, expressed deep concern about rising violence in the occupied West Bank.
In a recent meeting with journalists, António Guterres raised alarm over the escalating violence in the occupied Palestinian territories, highlighting the roles of military aggression, settler violence, demolitions, and discriminatory policies in displacing civilians and worsening their suffering.
Guterres specifically pointed to the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements, which he described as undermining the social fabric of Palestinian communities and obstructing access to essential resources.
He stressed that the recent approval of thousands of new settlement units in the E1 area threatens to divide the West Bank, isolating the northern and southern regions and presenting a significant threat to the viability of the “two-state solution.”
The UN chief reiterated that Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are a clear violation of international law, calling on “Israel” to cease these activities immediately and adhere to its international obligations.
In addition, Guterres emphasized the urgent need for a permanent and immediate ceasefire and unhindered access for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
He warned that the ongoing military aggression is pushing hundreds of thousands of civilians into displacement once again, with unprecedented levels of death and destruction in Gaza.
Guterres also condemned the repeated airstrikes, including those targeting Al-Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, which resulted in numerous civilian casualties, including healthcare workers and journalists.
Guterres called for an international investigation into these violations and accountability for those responsible.
Lastly, Guterres highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where famine has become a grim reality.
He urged the occupying forces to fulfill their obligations to provide essential food, water, and medical supplies and ensure the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid, in line with the binding rulings of the International Court of Justice.
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