Guterres calls on Israel to immediately halt the plan to divide the West Bank.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, called on the Israeli government to immediately halt its plan to divide the occupied West Bank into two parts. Guterres emphasized that the establishment of settlements, including those in East Jerusalem, is a clear violation of international law.

In a statement, Guterres pointed out that these illegal settlements will further entrench the occupation and exacerbate tensions in the region. He added that construction in the area known as "E1" will separate the northern West Bank from the southern part, seriously undermining the possibility of establishing a viable Palestinian state.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the approval of a settlement plan in the "E1" area, which would separate Jerusalem from the West Bank. Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Smotrich, who also holds a position in the Ministry of Defense, announced the approval for the construction of 3,401 new settlement units near the Ma'ale Adumim settlement and 3,515 units in the surrounding area.

Smotrich stated that the plan "connects Ma'ale Adumim to Jerusalem and cuts off Arab communication between the cities of Ramallah and Bethlehem," considering that the plan buries the idea of a Palestinian state. He affirmed that this area is strategic for both Palestinians and the international community.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Smotrich's approval revives the "E1" project, which has been stalled for decades under international pressure, as this project is seen as a strategic barrier to the establishment of a Palestinian state, meaning that the occupying state is pushing towards the annexation of the occupied West Bank.

The "E1" project aims to connect Jerusalem with several Israeli settlements located east of it in the West Bank, such as Ma'ale Adumim, by confiscating Palestinian lands in the area and establishing new settlements, thereby preventing any potential Palestinian expansion.

The head of the Ma'ale Adumim settlement confirmed that the project will completely eliminate the dream of a Palestinian state, while the head of the regional council for West Bank settlements stated that the announcement brings the occupying state closer to establishing full sovereignty over the West Bank.

Palestinians maintain that East Jerusalem is the capital of their hoped-for state, based on international legitimacy resolutions that do not recognize the occupation of the city by the occupying state in 1967 or its annexation in 1980.