UN Reports Record Israeli Settlement Expansion in West Bank

The expansion, labeled a potential war crime by the UN human rights chief, threatens the viability of a Palestinian state.

The UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, has reported a record expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, labeling it a potential war crime and a significant threat to the viability of a Palestinian state.
The report documents 24,300 new Israeli housing units in the West Bank from November 2022 to October 2023, marking the highest expansion rate since monitoring began in 2017.
Settler violence and related violations have dramatically increased, particularly since the deadly Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, leading to over 400 Palestinian deaths by Israeli forces or settlers.
International reactions include strong condemnations from France, Spain, and the US, with the latter stating the settlements are 'inconsistent' with international law.
The ongoing expansion and violence risk undermining any practical possibility of establishing a viable Palestinian state, further complicating efforts towards a two-state solution.