On August 15, 2025, the United Nations Human Rights Office issued a strong condemnation of Israel's plan to construct 3,401 housing units in the E1 area of the West Bank. This development, situated between the Ma'ale Adumim settlement and East Jerusalem, has been criticized for its potential to violate international law and lead to the forced eviction of Palestinians, which has been described as a potential war crime. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has championed the project, stating its aim is to "bury" the prospect of a Palestinian state. The plan is widely viewed as a move that would effectively bisect the West Bank, isolating East Jerusalem and fragmenting Palestinian territories. The E1 area, spanning 12 square kilometers northeast of East Jerusalem, is currently home to several Bedouin communities, including Khan al-Ahmar.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, through his spokesperson, reiterated that Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are established and maintained in violation of international law. He emphasized that such actions further entrench the occupation, escalate tensions, and systematically erode the viability of a Palestinian state within a two-state solution framework. The UN has called for an immediate cessation of all settlement activities by Israeli authorities, referencing the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion from July 19, 2024, which affirmed the illegality of settlements. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 of 2016 specifically labels Israel's settlement activities as a "flagrant violation" of international law with "no legal validity." Currently, approximately 700,000 Israeli settlers reside in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, living alongside 2.7 million Palestinians. The E1 expansion is seen as critical as it would sever the northern and southern parts of the West Bank, severely undermining the possibility of a contiguous and viable Palestinian state. Several countries, including France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, have indicated their intention to formally recognize a Palestinian state in September during the UN General Assembly. Israel maintains that its settlement activities are grounded in historical and strategic considerations, but the prevailing international perspective is that these settlements are illegal and serve as a significant impediment to peace efforts.