UN Warns Settlement Expansion in E1 Area Threatens East Jerusalem’s Connectivity

Tue 20 Jan 2026 | 02:34 PM

Israeli soldiers patrol after a soldier was killed when a rock thrown off a rooftop struck him in the head g during an arrest raid, in the village of Yabad near the West Bank city of Jenin, Tuesday, May. 12, 2020. Tuesday's raid was aimed at arresting four Palestinians wanted for stone-throwing at Israeli vehicles and other recent attacks. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)

Ahmed Emam

The United Nations has warned that Israeli settlement expansion in the E1 area significantly increases the risk of isolating East Jerusalem.

In a statement, the UN said that continued construction in the strategically sensitive area could undermine the territorial contiguity of Palestinian areas, further complicating prospects for a viable two-state solution.

Also, the UN called on Israel to halt measures that lead to Palestinian geographic and demographic fragmentation, stressing that such actions exacerbate tensions and weaken chances for lasting peace.

International observers have long warned that development in the E1 corridor, located between Jerusalem and the settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, could sever links between the northern and southern West Bank.