Khaberni - Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank reached a record level this year since the beginning of United Nations monitoring in 2017, according to a report issued by the organization's Secretary-General.
António Guterres said in the document sent to the Security Council members, "In 2025, the indicators of settlement expansion reached their highest levels since the United Nations began systematically monitoring these developments in 2017."
He added that "overall, about 47,390 housing units were proposed, approved, or tendered, compared to about 26,170 in 2024.
These numbers represent a clear increase compared to previous years," pointing to an average of about 12,800 settlement units annually between 2017 and 2022.
Guterres continued, "I condemn the ongoing Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which continues to fuel tensions, prevents Palestinians from accessing their lands, and threatens the viability of an independent, democratic, connected, and fully sovereign Palestinian state."
The UN Secretary-General emphasized that "these developments further entrench the illegitimate Israeli occupation and violate international law and the Palestinian right to self-determination," reiterating his call for an "immediate" halt to settlement activity.
About three million Palestinians live in East Jerusalem alongside about 500,000 Israelis residing in settlements deemed illegal under international law by the United Nations.
António Guterres also condemned in his report the "disturbing" increase in settler violence and mentioned attacks that sometimes occur "in the presence of or with the support of the Israeli security forces."
Overall, the UN official expressed his concern about "the ongoing escalation of violence and tensions in the West Bank," specifically referring to operations carried out by the Israeli forces that resulted in "many martyrs, including women and children," as well as the displacement of residents and the destruction of homes and infrastructure.
The violence in the West Bank has intensified since the beginning of the war on Gaza on October 7, 2023. The violence has not abated despite the ceasefire that took effect in Gaza on October 10.
