“The Israeli authorities approved over the past two days the advancement of some 2,400 housing units in settlements in Area C of the occupied West Bank.
The expansion of settlements has no legal effect and constitutes a flagrant violation of international law. By advancing the effective annexation of the West Bank, it undermines the chances for establishing a Palestinian state based on relevant UN resolutions, as part of a negotiated two-state solution.
It must cease immediately and completely.”
![A wide view of the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. On the screens are Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator. [16 December 2025]](/sites/default/files/styles/3_2_lg_2x/public/2026-01/dsc_ramiz_alakbarov_-_16_dec_2025_-_un_photo_marten_garten.jpg?h=0f8e3b93&itok=WWfglm7j "A wide view of the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. On the screens are Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator. [16 December 2025]")
