UN chief denounces Israel's push to expand illegal West Bank settlements

In a Monday statement, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced Israel’s accelerated settlement programme in the occupied West Bank, labeling the outposts illegal under both international and Israeli law. He warned that the expansion undermines prospects for a two-state solution and a lasting peace. The comments came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced measures to legalise farm outposts and establish new settlements, a move coinciding with a surge in settler-driven attacks.

The United Nations and partner agencies have called for civilian protection and accountability under international humanitarian and human-rights statutes. Since Thursday, at least eight Palestinians, including a child, and two Israelis have been killed, with further displacement and infrastructure damage reported. OCHA noted that tightened movement restrictions are cutting thousands off emergency medical care and livelihoods, while documenting over 1,300 settler-related incidents since January.