UN chief condemns attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in West Bank

UNITED NATIONS, March 23 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday condemned the recent attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their property in the occupied West Bank, his spokesperson said.

"These near-daily attacks by Israeli settlers have become increasingly severe, resulting in deaths, injuries, significant property damage, and the displacement sometimes of entire communities," Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, told a daily briefing.

The UN chief reiterated that "Israeli settlements and related infrastructure have no legal validity and are in flagrant violation of international law, including applicable UN resolutions," and called for an urgent de-escalation of the situation in the occupied West Bank and for an end to attacks on civilians and their property, the spokesperson said.

"He urges the Government of Israel to implement concrete measures to reverse the current trajectory in the occupied West Bank. Israeli authorities bear the responsibility to protect the Palestinian population, end impunity, and hold those responsible to account," Dujarric added. ■