Shibbir Ahmed, United Nations, New York: The United Nations has expressed deep concern over reports of new illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The UN human rights office has also strongly condemned remarks by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir that allegedly incite violence against Palestinians.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Wednesday that Secretary-General António Guterres was deeply alarmed by reports of new illegal Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank, particularly the issuance of tenders for new housing projects in the E1 area. The Israeli government this week issued tenders for the construction of more than 1,200 new housing units in the E1 area.

According to the United Nations, implementation of the plan could sever the geographic connection between occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank. It could also effectively divide the West Bank into northern and southern parts.

The UN warned that such a development could seriously undermine the territorial integrity of the occupied Palestinian territory and pose a major threat to the prospects for a two-State solution. The UN Secretary General has called on Israel to refrain from taking further steps in this regard and to comply with relevant UN resolutions and international law.

The UN spokesperson also referred to the 19 July 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which stated that Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is unlawful.

Nearly 40,000 Palestinians Trapped in the West Bank

Meanwhile, nearly 40,000 people, including children, have been effectively trapped inside their homes in Dahiriya, in the Hebron area of the West Bank, following an Israeli military operation. According to UN humanitarian partners, Israeli forces imposed a curfew, deployed snipers on rooftops, blocked roads with earth mounds and arrested several people. At least seven Palestinian homes were reportedly used as interrogation centres.

The UN spokesperson said the operation was having an immediate humanitarian impact. Residents have been unable to replenish food and other essential supplies, access vital services or travel to their workplaces. He stressed that homes and families must be protected and that any security operation must be conducted in accordance with international law, with the protection and dignity of civilians ensured.

Israeli Attacks Continue in Gaza

Despite the interim ceasefire plan of October 2025, deadly attacks, gunfire, missile launches and airstrikes have continued in Gaza on an almost daily basis. UN security and safety partners reported continued Israeli military activity in areas west of the so-called “Yellow Line,” a line marked by concrete blocks installed by Israel following the ceasefire.

According to preliminary local reports cited by the United Nations, an Israeli airstrike on a Gaza seaport on Tuesday killed at least seven people and injured several others. Further attacks were reported on Wednesday. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said such incidents put civilians at risk and restrict their ability to reach safety, receive medical care and access humanitarian assistance.

‘Beyond the Bounds of Humanity’

The UN human rights office has also issued a strong response following recent remarks by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir concerning Palestinians. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory said Ben-Gvir’s remarks amounted to “incitement to violence amounting to atrocity crimes.”

The office said such comments by a senior Israeli government official represented yet another example of what it described as “utter contempt” for international humanitarian law, international human rights law and the basic principles of humanity. The UN human rights office said: “It is beyond the bounds of humanity.”

According to OHCHR, such “dehumanising remarks” have come amid an extremely high death and injury toll among Palestinians in Gaza since 7 October 2023. Citing figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the United Nations said 73,400 Palestinians have been killed and 174,312 injured in Gaza since then. Another 1,123 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank, according to the figures cited by the UN.

UN Calls on Israel to Condemn Incitement Against Palestinians

The UN human rights office also recalled that in January 2024, the International Court of Justice issued binding provisional measures concerning Israel. In response to a case brought by South Africa, the court ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent and punish direct and public incitement to genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

OHCHR said that even amid the widespread destruction in Gaza and continued attacks by Israeli settlers and the forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank, statements by senior Israeli officials that encourage or justify unlawful mass killings of Palestinians continue. The UN human rights office called on the Israeli government to unequivocally condemn and investigate incidents of incitement to violence against Palestinians.