By The South Asia Times

UNITED NATIONS – Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel's illegal settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, warning that the advancement of the E1 settlement project threatens to "sever the West Bank" and undermine the foundations of a viable Palestinian state.

Speaking at the UN Security Council's monthly briefing on the Middle East on Wednesday, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is at a "critical inflection point" with two dangerous trends: systematic violations of international law continuing with impunity, and deliberate illegal actions undermining the territorial and political foundations of a future Palestinian state .

Ambassador Ahmad expressed deep concern over continued Israeli military actions in Gaza despite the ceasefire. "Since the announcement of ceasefire, more than 1,200 Palestinians have been killed," he told the Council, adding that Israeli violations have included "repeated, unjustified and highly indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure".

"If the ceasefire is holding, then how are strikes continuing and civilians are being killed?" he questioned, emphasizing that the ceasefire was "the first, most essential step" of the peace plan and must be fully respected.

The ambassador noted that the Foreign Ministers of the Group of 8 Arab-Islamic countries, including Pakistan, have "unequivocally condemned" Israel's settlement policies and categorically rejected the E1 plan, calling it a "dangerous escalation".

He warned that settler violence had reached "alarming levels," with the UN recording approximately 190 attacks per month in early 2026.

He also called for the immediate release of approximately $6 billion in Palestinian clearance revenue being withheld by Israel, which he said was "undermining the financial position of the Palestinian Authority and its ability to provide essential services".

The ambassador also raised alarm over "unauthorized entries by Israeli authorities into UNRWA premises in occupied East Jerusalem," describing the forcible entry into the Kalandia Training Centre as "particularly troubling." He stressed that UN facilities and personnel "must be respected and protected" under international law .

Ambassador Ahmad called on the international community to take urgent action, demanding that Israel immediately halt all unlawful measures, including settlement expansion, settler violence, annexation measures, and forced displacement of Palestinians

He added that the Gaza Peace Plan and UN Security Council Resolution 2803 be implemented fully, starting with full enforcement of the ceasefire

Pakistan envoy said that those with influence use their diplomatic and economic leverage to enforce compliance with international law and ensure accountability for all violations, including war crimes

"Pakistan's solidarity with the Palestinian people remains firm," the ambassador said. "We stand with them in their legitimate struggle for dignity, justice and self-determination" .

He reiterated that the only viable path to peace is a "just, comprehensive peace based on UN Security Council resolutions" with the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds al Sharif as its capital.