UN Official Reports Continued Israeli Settlement Activity in West Bank and East Jerusalem Despite Resolution 2334

Ramiz Alakbarov, Acting Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, addressed the Security Council regarding the thirty-ninth report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2334 (2016). The report covers the period from 13 June to 18 September and highlights ongoing settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.

Resolution 2334 (2016) calls on Israel to “immediately and completely cease all settlement activity” and “fully respect all of its legal obligations.” Despite this, settlement activity has continued at high levels. During the reporting period, Israeli planning authorities approved nearly 4,570 housing units in Area C of the West Bank and 3,515 units in East Jerusalem. The Israeli Housing Ministry also published tenders for nearly 2,240 units in Area C, including 1,234 in the E1 area near Jerusalem.

On 14 July, Israeli Finance Minister announced that the Israeli cabinet approved the establishment of a new settlement in the northern West Bank. The Israeli Security Cabinet also allocated 1.3 billion Shekels [approximately USD 430 million] for temporary housing units in dozens of new settlements. Temporary structures were reportedly placed in Kadim on 5 August, following Cabinet approval for re-establishment in December 2025. On 31 August, some families reportedly moved into Noa, a new settlement approved by the Cabinet in March 2026.

The Israeli Defense Forces issued an unprecedented seizure order for privately owned land in Area A near Qabatiya, south of Jenin City, to construct a road linking Noa and Emek Dotan—two of the 34 settlements recently approved. This marks the first reported seizure of Area A land explicitly for settlement infrastructure. Demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures also continued. Citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain, Israeli authorities demolished, seized, or forced people to demolish 536 structures in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, displacing 736 persons, including 347 children.

Evictions of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem continued. On 12 August 2026, the Jerusalem Municipality demolished a Palestinian-owned house and animal barn in Silwan, East Jerusalem, forcibly displacing the family. These actions reflect a pattern of displacement and land seizure that has persisted despite international calls for compliance with resolution 2334. The report underscores the urgent need for adherence to international law and the protection of Palestinian rights.

Source: Read the original report