UN chief warns Israel’s new measures in West Bank violate international law News
U.S. Mission Photo by Eric Bridiers, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
UN chief warns Israel’s new measures in West Bank violate international law

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned Monday that Israel’s new measures in the Occupied West Bank violate international law. Guterres urged Israel to halt these measures and commit to the negotiated two-state solution, as the “only path to lasting peace.” His calls were echoed by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

The Israeli cabinet approved a package of measures for the West Bank on February 8. The measures include repealing limits on Israeli settlers acquiring lands in the West Bank. They also include the Israeli military taking over regulatory powers for licensing and construction from the Palestinian authorities in Hebron and the Cave of the Patriarchs. The cabinet also empowered Israeli agencies to demolish Palestinian structures on the grounds of potential environmental hazards and protection of heritage and archaeology.

WAFA news agency, the Palestinian Authority’s official news agency, reported on subsequent Israeli operations in the Palestinian areas. The reports included the demolition of buildings in East Jerusalem, forcible removal of villagers in Deir al-Dik from their homes, denial of entry to Hebron for Palestinian residents, and deployment of tear gas in Hebron residential areas.

The  measures are said to violate the 1995 Oslo II Accord, which divides the West Bank into three areas, with Area A and B administered by the Palestinian Authority, and Area C by Israel. While Palestine enjoys administrative authority in Area B, Israel shares security control with Palestine in this area. However, the new Israeli measures extended its administrative authority to Area A and B.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich both justified the decision, saying that it would “remove decades-old barriers, repeal discriminatory Jordanian legislation, and enable accelerated development of settlement on the ground.” The measures however, drew widespread criticism from the international community. A joint statement from Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on February 9 accused Israel of “imposing unlawful Israeli sovereignty…thereby accelerating attempts at its illegal annexation and the displacement of the Palestinian people.” Canada and the EU also called on Israel to halt the measures and recommit to the two-state solution.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled against Israel in 2024 for its settlement and occupation activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The court held that its settlement policy violated several international conventions, depriving Palestinians of their right to self-determination. A November 2025 report by Human Rights Watch also argued that Israel’s military operations in the northern West Bank forcibly displaced 32,000 Palestinians, constituting war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Guterres addressed the humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory last week. He warned that Israel’s systemic attacks against UN refugee agencies and other international humanitarian groups continue to hinder the access of humanitarian aid. UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Francesca Albanese, also urged the UN to suspend Israel’s membership on January 24, for its attacks against UNRWA.

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