AMMAN — Jordan on Wednesday renewed its rejection of illegal Israeli policies in the occupied Palestinian territories, including settlement expansion, discriminatory legislation, obstruction of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and the withholding of Palestinian Authority clearance revenues. 

 

Speaking during a UN Security Council session on Palestine, Jordan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Walid Obeidat condemned violations affecting the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem.

 

Obeidat called for sustained support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), compliance with Security Council Resolution 2803, and renewed efforts to implement the two-state solution.

 

The Security Council, under the presidency of Bahrain, convened to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue, and heard briefings from UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari and former UK prime minister Tony Blair, a member of the Council for Peace.

 

Khiari said that escalating tensions and hostilities across the region in recent weeks have diverted attention from developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, where conditions in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, continue to deteriorate.

 

He noted that civilians remain the primary victims of ongoing violence, while humanitarian needs on the ground remain acute.

 

“It is imperative to move forward urgently with planning, not only for humanitarian assistance, but also for early recovery and reconstruction,” Khiari said.

 

On the West Bank, the UN official warned that escalating violence, including widespread settler attacks, forced displacement, and the acceleration of settlement activity, are threatening entire communities and undermining prospects for a viable two-state solution.

 

He added that between March 14 and April 16, Israeli authorities advanced plans for 1,080 housing units in the West Bank, including 680 units in settlements in Area C, in addition to plans for 400 housing units in East Jerusalem.

 

Khiari also reported that 21 Palestinians, including six children, were killed by Israeli forces or settlers during the reporting period, while 310 others, including 45 children, were injured. According to Israeli sources, one Israeli was killed and 11 others were injured in attacks carried out by Palestinians.

 

He also warned that conditions in refugee camps in the northern West Bank remain concerning, with economic conditions continuing to deteriorate across the territory.