UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has criticized the Israeli government’s decision made on February 15 to resume land registration processes in Area C of the occupied West Bank. He expressed concerns that this decision, endorsed by the cabinet in May 2025, could result in the expropriation of Palestinian properties, further extending Israeli control over these territories. Guterres emphasized the potential destabilizing effects of such measures, labeling them as illegal, in accordance with previous rulings from the International Court of Justice.

In his statement, delivered by spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres called upon the Israeli government to immediately retract these measures. He underscored the urgency of the situation, indicating that ongoing developments on the ground could significantly undermine the viability of a two-state solution, which has been the longstanding goal of peace negotiations in the region. The Secretary-General's comments highlight the ever-pressing tension between Israeli actions and Palestinian rights, adding weight to the international community's calls for a peaceful resolution.

Guterres's statement reiterates established positions concerning the illegality of Israeli settlements and control measures in the occupied Palestinian territories, marking them as destabilizing not just to regional security but also to the prospects of a lasting peace. The international community's response to these developments could hinge upon continued advocacy for Palestinian rights and a commitment to ensuring that any measures taken respect the principles of international law, thus maintaining the hope for mutual recognition and coexistence in the future.