UN reports Israel advanced 8,085 settlement housing units in West Bank and East Jerusalem

September 29, 2026 at 03:01 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Israel advanced or approved plans for 8,085 settlement housing units in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem between June 13 and September 18, the UN reported on September 28. Acting Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov told the Security Council that settler violence reached unprecedented levels, with 630 attacks killing 11 Palestinians and injuring 430. The report comes as the Gaza ceasefire remains fragile and humanitarian conditions there stay critical.

Key Facts

Israeli planning authorities advanced or approved 4,570 housing units in Area C of the West Bank and 3,515 in East Jerusalem during the reporting period.
Israel's Housing Ministry issued tenders for 2,240 units in Area C, including 1,234 in the E1 area near Jerusalem.
The UN recorded 630 settler attacks that killed 11 Palestinians and injured 430, including 113 injured by Israeli forces.
343 Palestinians from 17 communities were forced to leave their homes during the reporting period.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned settlement expansion as a flagrant violation of international law.

Settlement Expansion

Acting Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov presented the Secretary-General's report on resolution 2334 (2016) to the Security Council on September 28. Israeli planning authorities advanced or approved 4,570 housing units in the West Bank and 3,515 in East Jerusalem between June 13 and September 18. The Housing Ministry issued tenders for 2,240 units in Area C, including 1,234 in the E1 area near Jerusalem. Resolution 2334 demands Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.

Violence and Displacement

Settler violence reached unprecedented levels, often occurring in the presence of Israeli forces, Alakbarov told the Council. The UN recorded 630 settler attacks that killed 11 Palestinians and injured 430, including 113 injured by Israeli forces. 343 Palestinians from 17 communities were forced to leave their homes. On August 23, an Israeli was stabbed and wounded in Al-Auja near Jericho.

Gaza and UN Response

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical, with healthcare conditions especially severe despite increased food and hygiene supplies. The Israel Defense Forces continued military operations west of the so-called yellow line, including daily airstrikes on densely populated areas. Secretary-General António Guterres condemned settlement expansion as a flagrant violation of international law and called on Israel to protect Palestinians from attacks and intimidation.