Translated with AI
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern over reports of the Israeli Security Cabinet's decision to authorize a series of administrative and law enforcement measures in Areas A and B of the occupied West Bank, according to a statement from the UN press service.
According to media reports, these measures will facilitate the transfer of Palestinian lands to Jewish settlers and will lead to the expansion of Israeli influence in this territory.
The UN Secretary-General warned that trends on the ground, including these measures, undermine the prospects for realizing a two-State solution.
He reiterated that all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as the regime and infrastructure associated with them, have no legal validity and are a violation of international law, including UN resolutions.
The Secretary-General's press service said in a statement that such actions, including Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, not only destabilize the situation but are also, as the International Court of Justice has stated, illegal.
António Guterres called on Israel to reverse these measures. He also called on all parties to uphold "the only path to lasting peace—a negotiated two-state solution" in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and international law.
Speaking at a press briefing in New York, UN Secretary-General's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Israeli measures "move further and further away from a two-state solution and from the ability of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people to control their own destiny."
Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies continue their work in the Gaza Strip, despite serious obstacles and challenging conditions. Residents of Gaza City continue to experience severe shortages of drinking and household water, despite the recent opening of a water pipeline connecting Israel to Gaza. Currently, the city receives approximately 6,000 cubic meters of water daily, with significant losses recorded in hard-to-reach areas.
To mitigate the shortage, the UN and partner organizations have increased water production and trucking from underground wells and private desalination plants. Since the end of January, humanitarian agencies have distributed over 100,000 jerrycans of water throughout the Gaza Strip, as well as over 700,000 bars of soap and over 25,000 hygiene kits.
Furthermore, since mid-week, humanitarian workers have conducted over 200 explosive hazard assessments as part of rubble removal. Over the past week, over 10,000 children and adults have received information on the risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance. Since the ceasefire began last October, 33 incidents involving explosive devices have been recorded in the enclave, resulting in nine deaths and 65 injuries.
The UN also notes that humanitarian access remains restricted, including due to bans on the import of so-called dual-use items and goods classified as non-humanitarian, including spare parts and some shelter materials. Israel's deregistration of several international non-governmental organizations and the restrictions imposed on UNRWA further impede humanitarian operations.
