Israel has come under sharp criticism from 14 countries after its security cabinet approved the establishment of 19 new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The countries, which include major Western and Asian powers, issued a joint statement condemning the move as unlawful under international law and harmful to peace efforts.
They stressed that such actions further erode prospects for meaningful negotiations and deepen tensions in an already volatile environment.
The announcement by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was justified by Israel as an attempt to block the creation of a Palestinian state, but critics argue it will only worsen the humanitarian and political situation.
The group of nations warned that this unilateral move could jeopardise efforts towards a ceasefire in Gaza and destabilise ongoing diplomatic initiatives.
They called on Israel to cancel the approval immediately and halt any plans for settlement expansion.
The countries reaffirmed their strong support for a two-state solution as the only viable path toward sustainable peace.
With more than half a million Israeli settlers already residing in the West Bank alongside millions of Palestinians, international concern continues to grow as the United Nations reports settlement expansion at its highest rate in years.
