The UN warns that Israel's recent measures indicate a gradual annexation of the West Bank under its control and could lead to dangerous expansions of civil governance in sensitive areas.
A high-ranking UN official, Rosemary DiCarlo, has highlighted Israel's recent actions, which include a series of measures supported by far-right ministers aimed at tightening control over the occupied West Bank. These measures, in contradiction to previously established agreements granting limited autonomy to Palestinians, reflect what DiCarlo describes as a gradual de facto annexation. Such unilateral steps threaten to alter the landscape of the region significantly.
DiCarlo emphasized that if these measures are fully implemented, they could extend Israel's civilian authority over the West Bank, including pivotal areas such as Hebron. The implications could further cement Israeli presence in these territories, remove bureaucratic obstacles for settlement expansion, and simplify processes for land purchase and building permits. These changes exacerbate tensions in an already fragile geopolitical environment.
The UN's scrutiny comes as these developments could pave the way for increased Israeli settlements in contested areas, heightening conflict risks. As the international community observes these changes with concern, the stability of both Israeli and Palestinian populations is at risk. The actions taken by the Israeli government in the coming weeks will be critical in determining the future dynamics of the region and the prospects for peace and coexistence between the two peoples.
