Guterres: Expediting outposts in West Bank is ‘flagrant violation’ of international law

On Monday, the U.N Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over Israel’s recent announcement of a series of measures in response to the recent attacks.

This includes speeding up the process of legalizing agricultural outposts in the West Bank and building new outposts.

Settlements are illegal

Secretary General reiterates that all settlements, including outposts, have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation of international law.

Apart from that, these things are still the main obstacles in achieving a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, as well as a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.

United Nations Office of Humanitarian Affairs Ocha sound the alarm over the increase in violence in the West Bank in recent days.

Death, destruction and limitation

Since Thursday, at least eight Palestinians – including a child – as well as two Israelis, have been killed and many others injured.

Homes, mosques, trees and agricultural buildings were burned or damaged and, in some cases, destroyed. At least 10 Palestinian families have been displaced.

“In parallel, Israeli forces have tightened restrictions on the movement and access of Palestinians in many areas of the West Bank, preventing thousands of people from reaching essential services.such as emergency medical care and their livelihoods,” said OCHA.

Since January, the agency has documented more than 1,330 incidents involving Israeli settlers that resulted in casualties, property damage, or both.

On Saturday,Israeli troops or settlers have killed 77 Palestinians this year, including 18 children. In the same period,three Israelis were killed by Palestinians.

Meanwhile, the UN and its partners continue to call for the urgent protection of civilians and strict respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law, underscoring that perpetrators must be held accountable.