File Photo: Secretary-General Antnio Guterres addresses a press conference. Photo courtesy of UN website.
Violence and arrests have soared in the Israeli-occupied territory on October 7.
Through administrative and legal steps, Israel is changing the geography of the West Bank, Guterres said in a statement read by his chief of staff, Courtenay Rattray, during a meeting of the Security Council.
Settlement expansion is expected to speed up due to big land seizures in strategic areas and changes to planning, land management, and governance, Guterres added.
"Recent developments are driving a stake through the heart of any prospect for a two-state solution," said the UN chief.
He said Israel is taking steps to extend sovereignty over the West Bank.
Guterres said Israel has taken punitive steps against the Palestinian Authority and legalized five Israeli outposts in the West Bank.
Israel has built such outposts as part of its occupation of the West Bank since 1967.
"We must change course. All settlement activity must cease immediately," Guterres said.
He said Israeli settlements are a flagrant violation of international law and an obstacle to peace with the Palestinians.
Guterres repeated his call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of all hostages.
"The humanitarian situation in Gaza is a moral stain on us all," Guterres said.
The Israeli war on Gaza has killed at least 38,794 people, mostly women and children, according to figures from the Gaza health ministry.
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