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STORY: OHCHR / WEST BANK ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS - ARABIC
TRT: 03:09
SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ARABIC / NATS
DATELINE: 06 FEBRUARY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / FILE
FILE - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1. Various shots, exterior, Palais Wilson
06 FEBRUARY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“A series of new Israeli operations and settlement plans in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, risk seriously undermining the viability of a contiguous Palestinian state and the realisation of the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. On 12 January, Israeli security forces launched a campaign in occupied East Jerusalem, including at least two major operations targeting two Palestinian communities. They raided dozens of homes and shops, detained Palestinians, confiscated goods, and seized private vehicles. Since 23 January, the Israeli authorities issued eviction orders to 22 Palestinian homes in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City and in Al-Bustan and Batn Al Hawa areas of Silwan. This follows a series of similar notices over the past two months affecting hundreds of Palestinians who remain at risk of forced displacement in the larger area of Silwan. The unlawful deportation or transfer of a population living under occupation is a war crime, and, under specific circumstances, may constitute a crime against humanity. This is added to the forced displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians across the occupied West Bank since last year. Meanwhile, the killing of Palestinians continues with generalised impunity. Since 7 October 2023, as of 2 February 2026, we verified that Israeli forces and settlers killed 1,053 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem. Accountability and justice must be achieved — for all the victims of unlawful killings and other human rights violations. States must act immediately to stop the aggressive Israeli expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Further expansion of settlements will only entrench the racial segregation against the Palestinian people, disrupt the geographic and demographic contiguity of their land, and slow the realisation of their right to self-determination. The multiple rulings by the International Court of Justice have been crystal clear: The settlement activities must stop; Israeli settlements must be evacuated; and the Israeli unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory must end. We call again for an immediate end to Israel’s occupation.”
FILE - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
3. Various shots, exterior, Palais Wilson
“A series of new Israeli operations and settlement plans in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, risk seriously undermining the viability of a Palestinian state and the realisation of the Palestinians’ right to self-determination,” United Nations Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said today (6 Feb).
“On 12 January, Israeli security forces launched a campaign in occupied East Jerusalem, including at least two major operations targeting two Palestinian communities,” he added. “In the Shu’fat refugee camp, they raided dozens of homes and shops, detained at least 25 Palestinians, confiscated goods, and seized 10 private vehicles.”
In another large-scale operation, targeting Kafr Aqab neighbourhood and the boundaries of Qalandiya refugee camp, Israeli security forces reportedly demolished 70 Palestinian structures. This appears to be in preparation for major settlement projects in the area.
“Since 23 January, the Israeli authorities issued eviction orders to 22 Palestinian homes in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City and in Al-Bustan and Batn Al Hawa areas of Silwan,” Al-Kheetan said. This follows a series of similar notices over the past two months affecting hundreds of Palestinians who remain at risk of forced displacement in the larger area of Silwan. “The unlawful deportation or transfer of a population living under occupation is a war crime, and, under specific circumstances, may constitute a crime against humanity,” he said.
“Relentless violence by Israeli settlers – with the support and participation of Israeli security forces, as well as movement restrictions are accelerating the forcible transfer of Palestinians,” he added. In the meantime, Israeli settlements continue to expand at previously unseen pace, in breach of international law.
“Accountability and justice must be achieved — for all the victims of unlawful killings and other human rights violations,” Al-Kheetan said.
States must act immediately to stop the aggressive Israeli expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. “Further expansion of settlements will only entrench the racial segregation against the Palestinian people,” he said.
Multiple rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) have stressed that settlement activities must stop; Israeli settlements must be evacuated; and the Israeli unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory must end.
High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk again called for an immediate end to Israel’s occupation.
