London, July 30 (SANA)Britain has condemned Israeli settlement plans and the continuing attacks byIsraeli settlersagainst Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, reaffirming that the settlements are illegal under international law and undermine the prospects of achieving atwo-state solution.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X on Thursday, Britain’s Minister for the Middle East, Stephen Doughty, denounced the attacks carried out by settlers against Palestinian towns and villages in the West Bank as “appalling and unacceptable,” including the arson of two mosques in two villages and killings in other communities.

Doughty called for the protection of civilians, adherence to international law and accountability for those responsible for the violence. He also urged the Israeli authorities to immediately halt settler attacks and violence against Palestinians.

He further condemned continued threats to expand settlements and illegal settlement outposts in theoccupied Palestinian territories, while reaffirming Britain’s commitment to backing a diplomatic two-state solution as the only path to lasting peace and security.

The statement comes after U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated on Tuesday that all Israeli settlements in the West Bank constitute a flagrant violation of international law and possess no legal legitimacy.

Theoccupied West Bankhas witnessed a sharp escalation in military operations, settler attacks, demolitions and land seizures since the outbreak of the war in Gaza on October 7, 2023.