United nations: The United Nations has strongly condemned Israel's continued expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank, warning that such actions violate international law and threaten the prospects for peace.

According to Qatar News Agency, a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General stated on Thursday that Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, were established and continue to be developed in violation of international law. The spokesperson emphasized that these settlements entrench the occupation, fuel tensions, and systematically undermine the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state within the framework of a two-state solution.

The spokesperson highlighted the contentious E1 project, cautioning that construction in this area would physically separate the northern West Bank from the south, severely damaging the chances for a viable and contiguous Palestinian state. The Secretary-General has called on the Israeli authorities to immediately halt the progress of this process, urging Israel to cease all settlement activity in line with its obligations under international law, citing the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024.

Echoing the UN's concerns, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned Israel's plan to build new settlement units in the E1 area. She warned that the project further undermines the two-state solution and violates international law, calling on Israel to reverse the decision and noting its far-reaching consequences.