The recent decision to allow the construction of nineteen Israeli settlements in the West Bank is a cause for concern for the Palestinian Authority, as authorities believe these measures are exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and increasing tensions in the occupied territories. As the WAFA agency explains, this scenario coincides with an urgent call from presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina, who stressed the need for international intervention to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
According to WAFA, Abu Rudeina explained that these recent construction permits, together with the increase in attacks attributed to settlers and the actions carried out by Israel in East Jerusalem, paint a picture that frames what the Palestinian presidency defines as “ongoing colonial violations.” The spokesman stressed that the international community must take a direct role and pressure Israel to ensure free humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip, especially after Israel’s offensive in October 2023, which followed attacks that month.
The WAFA agency reported that the Palestinian Authority’s request for assistance takes on particular relevance given the approaching winter and the extent of destruction in the coastal enclave. Abu Rudeina noted that it is important to facilitate access to essential materials and resources such as shelters and shops to help the displaced and those who have lost their homes as a result of the offensive. Among the main concerns highlighted by Palestinian officials are the barriers imposed by Israeli authorities at border crossings, which are negatively impacting the functioning of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and restricting the arrival of aid and the implementation of humanitarian operations in Gaza.
WAFA stated that such difficulties in distributing aid pose an increased risk to the civilian population and complicate the work of international organizations. Given this situation, Speaker Abu Rudeina reiterated the urgency of opening border crossings and lifting all restrictions, arguing that the continuity of these obstacles worsens the humanitarian situation and limits the international response to the ongoing conflict.
In his statement, the spokesman also referred to recent incidents in the West Bank and condemned the “persistent attacks” by the Israeli army and security forces on cities and refugee camps, which the Palestinian authorities say contribute to an environment of continued instability. According to the WAFA agency, the presidency of the Palestinian Authority expressed concern about the escalation of violence following the tightening of Israeli policies, warning that this scenario could make any attempt at stability in the region untenable without the articulation of a coordinated international intervention.
Abu Rudeina stressed that the current context is “increasingly dangerous, complicated and confused,” which is why he directly called on the United States to take an active position in promoting a perspective that allows progress towards regional stability. The spokesman reiterated, quoted by WAFA, that the goal of this international intervention must be formulated within the framework of the peace and stability plan presented by then US President Donald Trump.
As the Palestinian Authority stressed, the Palestinian Authority criticizes Israel’s position, noting that the continued failure to comply with international norms and treaties not only hinders progress towards a peaceful solution, but also weakens the legitimacy of global initiatives to end the violence. In this sense, Abu Rudeina called on Israel’s allies, especially the United States, to exert the necessary diplomatic pressure on the Israeli government to restore respect for international law and strengthen the protection of international legitimacy.
Finally, according to WAFA, the Presidency Spokesperson stressed that the continuity of the measures taken by the occupying authorities jeopardizes the progress made by international cooperation organizations. The Palestinian Authority’s call aims to restore the flow of humanitarian aid and stop any measures that increase the vulnerability of civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. This process is still being evaluated in light of developments in the region.
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