Alghadeer TV Alghadeer TV
The United Nations Middle East envoy has censured Israel’s unlawful demolitions and settlement expansion in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as well as the crippling siege the regime has imposed on Gaza, complaining of a lack of progress in efforts to achieve a so-called two‑state solution to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland made the remarks on Tuesday in an address to the Security Council quarterly open debate on West Asia’s situation.
According to Press TV, Wennesland said “The situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory continues to deteriorate and no progress has been seen towards realizing a two‑state solution. This political stagnation is fueling tensions, instability and a deepening sense of hopelessness.”
“The security situation in Gaza remains fragile and the security dynamics in the occupied West Bank, including East al-Quds, are deteriorating, including growing tensions in and around the Holy Sites.”
The UN envoy also complained that the Tel Aviv regime’s settlement construction activities in Area A of the West Bank, as well as demolitions of Palestinian homes, and the blockade on Gaza fuel violence in the Occupied Lands.
“Israel’s settlement activity, evictions, demolitions and seizures of Palestinian property, military operations, particularly in Area A, and movement and access restrictions, including the severe closures on Gaza, further feed the cycle of violence. A large number of Palestinians, including children, continue to be killed and injured by Israeli security forces. Settler-related attacks against Palestinians and their property — including in the presence of Israeli security forces — also continue,” he said.
Additionally, Wennesland voiced concerns about the Israeli settlement construction plan in the West Bank’s E1 area, saying, “If constructed, these units would sever the connection between the northern and southern West Bank, significantly undermining the chances for establishing a viable and contiguous Palestinian State as part of a negotiated two‑state solution.”
