Guterres: The current situation in the West Bank is undermining the prospects of the "two-state solution"

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the decision made by Israel's security cabinet to authorize a series of administrative and law enforcement measures in Areas A and B of the occupied West Bank. He believes that the current situation in the West Bank is undermining the prospects of achieving the "two-state solution".

Xinhua News Agency reported that Ydíric, the spokesperson for Guterres, issued a statement on Monday (February 9th) saying that Guterres reiterated that all Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as their related systems and infrastructure, blatantly violate international law and relevant UN resolutions and are without legal effect.

The statement said that Israel's ongoing occupation of Palestinian territory and other actions are not only illegal but also detrimental to regional stability.

Guterres urged Israel to withdraw these measures and called on all parties to reach a "two-state solution" through negotiations based on the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and international law, in order to maintain this sole path towards achieving lasting peace between Palestine and Israel.

According to the "Oslo Agreement" signed by Israel and Palestine in 1993, the West Bank region was divided into three zones: A, B, and C. Zone A was controlled by the Palestinians, Zone B was jointly managed by both sides, and Zone C was controlled by the Israelis.