New York, June 29 (Petra) -- UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Ramiz Alakbarov, condemned Israel's continuous and accelerated settlement expansion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem on Monday, warning of a severe deterioration of the situation on the ground.
Briefing the UN Security Council on the implementation of Resolution 2334 which demands an end to all Israeli settlement activities Alakbarov stated that settlement expansion "deepens Israel's illegal occupation and undermines the viability of a fully independent, sovereign, and contiguous Palestinian state." The UN official expressed profound concern over recent measures taken by Israeli authorities to implement official land registration in Area C of the West Bank. "There is a grave risk that this decision will facilitate further settlement expansion and entrench the illegal occupation," Alakbarov added.
Highlighting the humanitarian impact, Alakbarov raised alarms over the scale of Palestinian displacement in the West Bank. He noted that settler violence, movement restrictions, demolitions, and prolonged security operations have collectively triggered the largest displacement crisis in the West Bank since 1967.
Furthermore, Alakbarov reiterated the UN Secretary-General's strong condemnation of the Israeli authorities' decision to establish military facilities within the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) compound in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. He urged Israel to rescind the decision and immediately return the compound to the United Nations, while calling on member states to maintain robust political and financial support for UNRWA.
Alakbarov concluded by reaffirming the United Nations' firm commitment to supporting Palestinians and Israelis toward ending the occupation and resolving the conflict in accordance with international law, relevant UN resolutions, and bilateral agreements. He emphasized that the ultimate goal remains the realization of a two-state solution comprising Israel and a fully independent, viable, and sovereign Palestinian state, with Gaza as an integral part.
//Petra// AF
