February 19, 2026 | 09:29 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Members of the UN Security Council have warned that Israel's efforts to expand control in the West Bank posed a threat to prospects of a two-state solution.
The situation is "deteriorating rapidly" in the occupied West Bank, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said in a briefing late on Wednesday.
"Widespread raids have been accompanied by home takeovers, mass detentions, movement restrictions and repeated displacement of Palestinian families, particularly in the north," DiCarlo said.
"We are witnessing the gradual de facto annexation of the West Bank," she said. In the last few weeks, Israel has launched a contentious land regulation process that will deepen its control in the occupied West Bank.
The West Bank would form the largest part of any future Palestinian state, but many on Israel's religious right view it as Israeli land.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who chaired the UN meeting, said: "We must prevent the destabilization of the West Bank and preserve the viability of a Palestinian state."
The representative of Somalia, a non-permanent UN Security Council member for the 2025-2026 term, called for the international community to "stand together against any attempt to alter the demographic composition of the Palestinian territories by force or coercion."
The comments come a day after the UN missions for 85 member states issued a joint statement condemning Israel's expanding control of the West Bank.
"We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel's unlawful presence in the West Bank," the statement said.
The UN meeting also touched on the state of the US-brokered ceasefire deal that took effect in October 2025.. Israeli and Palestinian civil society representatives briefed the Council for the first time since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel that started the war.
'Gaza still not at peace,' despite ceasefire
In regard to Gaza, DiCarlo warned that despite the October 2025 ceasefire between the Hamas militant group and Israel, Gaza is "still not at peace."
"Collective efforts must now consolidate the ceasefire in Gaza and alleviate the suffering of the population," she said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the Council was "infected with an anti-Israeli obsession" and that no nation has a stronger right than its "historical and documented right to the land of the Bible."
Saar also said attention should be focused on the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace in Washington and not the meeting at the UN.
The UN Security Council session on Wednesday was brought forward to prevent scheduling conflicts for representatives attending both meetings.
Europeans largely declined Trump's Board of Peace invitation
The agenda for Thursday's Board of Peace gathering is expected to focus on the future of the Gaza Strip beyond the current fragile ceasefire and how to fund the reconstruction.
Some 27 nations will attend, with some accepting the $1 billion fee for permanent membership.
But major US allies in Europe have declined to join, mostly over questions about the board's mandate and funding.
The original goal of the board, as set out by the UN Security Council, was to oversee the Gaza truce and the Palestinian territory's reconstruction. But Trump's vision for the board now seems to be world peace, sparking concerns that it may try to compete with the United Nations.
You can read more about European concerns over Trump's Board of Peace in this explainer.
Read: Germany, France, Others Rebuke Trump's NATO Troop Disrespect
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Jakarta Launches Indonesia's First SDGs Corner at Museum Bahari
2 hari lalu
SDGs Corner in Museum Bahari Jakarta is designed as an interactive narrative space that bring the sustainable development goals closer to young people
UNCTAD Unveils Roadmap for Indonesia's Digital Trade Push
6 hari lalu
The UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report sets a roadmap to boost Indonesia's digital trade and expand MSME market access.
Fact Check: Claim of UN Attending IKN Inauguration Is False
6 hari lalu
The Tempo fact check team's investigation confirms that international guests arrived in Indonesia to attend the G20 Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, in 2022.
US Imposes 'Terrorist-Grade Sanctions' on UN Rapporteur Francesca Albanese
10 hari lalu
The White House has reportedly imposed 'terrorist-level sanctions' on officials from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN special rapporteur for Palestine, Francesca Albanese, over her criticism of US technology companies supporting Israel in Gaza.
UN: 4.5 Million Girls at Risk of Genital Mutilation in 2026
12 hari lalu
Many of girls at risk of FGM are under the age of 5, the UN says. Around 230 million women and girls around the world are survivors of the practice.
UN Chief Warns of 'Grave Moment' as World Enters Era Without Nuclear Limits
12 hari lalu
The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty officially expired on February 5, ending 15 years of limits on the world's two largest nuclear arsenals.
Indonesia Confirms It Has Paid Full UN Membership Fees
15 hari lalu
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said Indonesia is urging other UN member states to fulfill their financial obligations.
UN Chief Calls Out US and China's Power Struggle
19 hari lalu
Antonio Guterres warned against unilateralism by the US and the emerging USChina duopoly urging "multipolarity."
UN Sec-Gen Warns of 'Law of the Jungle' Replacing Global Law
22 hari lalu
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns the UN Security Council that the "law of the jungle" is replacing international law.
Merz Says Germany Won't Join Trump's 'Board of Peace'
25 hari lalu
German Chancellor Merz said the current form of U.S. President Trump's "Board of Peace" prevented Germany from joining for "constitutional reasons."
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5357081/original/011599400_1758518426-expressive-young-girl-posing.jpg)