Kathmandu— Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for Palestine, has called for an international protection presence to be deployed in the West Bank, east Jerusalem, and Gaza due to escalating violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinians. The call comes as Israel continues to expand settlements considered illegal under international law, further jeopardizing prospects for a two-state solution. Albanese cited a legal obligation for third states to act to end Israel’s occupation, referencing an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and urged the UN Secretary-General and General Assembly to circumvent Security Council paralysis. The surge in settler attacks has coincided with heightened tensions following the October 2023 Hamas attack and a more assertive stance from Israeli leadership.

Escalating Violence and Calls for Intervention

UN data indicates a significant increase in settler violence, with approximately 190 attacks against Palestinians occurring each month in early 2026. This surge follows the start of the conflict in Gaza last October. On Friday, a 17-year-old Palestinian was killed and another wounded during an altercation involving settlers. Albanese emphasized the urgency of deploying an International Protection Presence, posting on X that it was “absolutely URGENT.”

International Legal Framework

Israeli settlements in the West Bank are widely considered illegal under international law by the UN and much of the global community, a position Israel disputes. The ICJ issued an advisory opinion in 2024 stating that Israel should end its occupation of Palestinian territory “as rapidly as possible.” Albanese contends that third states have a legal obligation to act, citing the ICJ’s ruling.

Obstacles to Peace and Expansion of Settlements

The expansion of Israeli settlements is seen by many as a major impediment to establishing a viable Palestinian state. Recently, Israel announced plans to build over 1,200 new housing units under the E1 settlement project, which EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas condemned, stating it would “divide the West Bank in two, isolating East Jerusalem, and further eroding the viability of a two-state solution.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously stated that “there will be no Palestinian state to the west of the Jordan River,” and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich hailed recent settlement approvals as “a revolution”.

UN Security Council Impasse

Albanese criticized what she described as a “paralysis” within the UN Security Council, where multiple resolutions critical of Israel have been vetoed by the United States. She called on the offices of the UN Secretary-General and General Assembly to find ways to bypass this impasse in order to address the escalating crisis.

The situation remains volatile with continued settlement expansion and ongoing violence raising concerns about the future of peace efforts in the region. Further action from the international community is anticipated as pressure mounts on Israel and relevant UN bodies.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.