Israel's West Bank policy is dooming two-state solution: UN chief

Israel's policy toward the West Bank is dooming any prospect of a two-state solution with the Palestinians, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday.

Violence and arrests have soared in the Israeli-occupied territory since the Gaza war erupted over Hamas's 7 October attacks.

Through administrative and legal steps, Israel is changing the geography of the West Bank, Guterres said in a statement read by his chief of staff, Courtenay Rattray, during a meeting of the Security Council.

Settlement expansion is expected to speed up due to big land seizures in strategic areas and changes to planning, land management and governance, Guterres added.

"Recent developments are driving a stake through the heart of any prospect for a two-state solution," said the UN chief.

He said Israel is taking steps to extend sovereignty over the West Bank.

Guterres said Israel has taken punitive steps against the Palestinian Authority and legalized five Israeli outposts in the West Bank.

Israel has built such outposts as part of its occupation of the West Bank since 1967.

"We must change course. All settlement activity must cease immediately," Guterres said.

He said Israeli settlements are a flagrant violation of international law and an obstacle to peace with the Palestinians.

Guterres repeated his call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of all hostages.

"The humanitarian situation in Gaza is a moral stain on us all," Guterres said.

The war began with Hamas's 7 October attack on Israel which resulted in the deaths of 1,195 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

The militants also seized 251 hostages, 116 of whom are still in Gaza including 42 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel responded with a military offensive that has killed at least 38,794 people, also mostly civilians, according to figures from the Gaza health ministry. It's war on Gaza has destroyed much of the enclave and left its population in a state of famine.