UN chief warns two-State solution at risk from Israeli settlement expansion

The United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres warned on Tuesday that the two‑State solution for the Israel‑Palestine conflict is in danger of collapsing as Israel continues what the UN describes as illegal settlement expansion and moves toward annexation of occupied territories. In a statement delivered to the Security Council, Guterres cited recent construction activity in the West Bank and the East Jerusalem area, noting that the pace and scale of new settlements contravene international law and undermine the viability of a negotiated peace framework that has been the cornerstone of diplomatic efforts for decades.

Guterres called on all parties to halt settlement activity immediately and to resume genuine negotiations based on United Nations resolutions and the principle of two sovereign states living side by side in peace and security. He urged the international community to reinforce diplomatic pressure on Israel to comply with its obligations and to support the Palestinian Authority in preserving its territorial contiguity. The Secretary‑General emphasized that without swift action, the prospect of a mutually agreed solution could become unattainable, further destabilizing the region.