The United Nations (UN) affirmed on Monday that all Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories are illegal under international law and are a major obstacle to achieving peace.
In a briefing to the UN Security Council, Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland stated that the Israeli occupation authorities demolished and seized 58 Palestinian facilities in Area C of the West Bank and 6 in East Jerusalem, leading to the displacement of 28 Palestinians, including 14 children.
He also referred to the demolition of a Palestinian elementary school in the West Bank area of Ein Samiya, just a few days before the start of the school year.
The UN official called on the occupation authorities to end the demolition of Palestinian-owned property, the displacements and evictions of Palestinians and to approve plans that would enable Palestinians to build legally and address their development needs.
He also touched on the funding shortages faced by UN agencies, which undermines their ability to provide basic services to the Palestinians.
Wennesland stressed the importance of focusing on addressing the most-critical issues and on de-escalating the situation on the ground but without ignoring the need to restore a political horizon.
The UN remains committed to end the occupation and the realization of a two-State solution based on UN resolutions, international law and mutual agreements, Wennesland added.
Source: Qatar News Agency