Ramez Akburov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process at the United Nations, expressed deep concern over the escalation of Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, accompanied by widespread destruction and mass displacement of Palestinians, alongside the accelerated pace of settlement expansion and demolitions in the occupied West Bank.

In a UN briefing on Monday, Akburov stated that Israeli attacks on schools, hospitals, residential buildings, and displaced persons camps have resulted in increasing civilian casualties, including women and children.

He noted that approximately 380,000 displacement cases have been recorded since mid-August, mostly from Gaza City to the overcrowded south suffering from collapsed health and water infrastructure.

More than 30 UN staff members have been killed during the reporting period.

In the West Bank, Akburov confirmed that Israel has intensified demolitions and seizures, with 455 buildings destroyed or seized, including 30 funded by donors, leading to the displacement of 420 Palestinians, including 175 children and 118 women, in addition to ongoing evictions of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem.

Catastrophic Development

He added that Israeli planning authorities recently approved the construction of about 20,810 settlement units from June 18 to September 19, including in East Jerusalem, noting that advancing the “E1” plan is a catastrophic development that, if implemented, would effectively sever the connection between the northern and southern West Bank, undermining the territorial contiguity of a sovereign independent Palestinian state, increasing the risk of forced displacement, and fueling tensions.

The UN official stressed that the forced displacement of Palestinians from any part of the occupied land is “unacceptable and violates international law,” condemning any practices amounting to ethnic cleansing.

He also called on Israel to release Palestinians arbitrarily detained and treat them humanely, saying, “Reports of mistreatment of Palestinians detained by Israel are extremely concerning.”

Akburov welcomed mediator efforts to reach a ceasefire and urged all parties to stop what he called “destructive hostilities.”

He affirmed that Israel is obligated under international law and International Court of Justice opinions to halt all settlement activities, evacuate settlers, and end its illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territories.

No Reason for Optimism

The Russian representative to the Security Council stated that his country sees no signs of optimism regarding the situation in the Palestinian territories, noting that Resolution 2234 has not been implemented and is flagrantly violated.

The Russian envoy said Israeli authorities provide unconditional support to settlers, adding that these settlers “either enjoy leniency from Israeli law enforcement agencies regarding crimes they commit, or direct complicity with them.”

He added that the Israeli government allocates millions of dollars to arm and train settlers to expel Palestinians from their lands.

The Russian delegate criticized Israeli rhetoric that “attributes a sacred right to Israel over these lands,” while portraying Palestinians as “mere people with no place in what is called Judea and Samaria” (the West Bank).

He pointed to US President Donald Trump’s statements about not allowing Israel to annex the West Bank, saying these must be translated into concrete actions on the ground.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, resulting in over 66,000 deaths and about 168,000 injuries, widespread infrastructure destruction, and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.

Simultaneously, the Israeli army and settlers have escalated attacks in the occupied West Bank, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,047 Palestinians, injuries to over 10,000, and the arrest of more than 19,000, according to official Palestinian data.