The United Nations human rights office reported Wednesday that Israel's treatment of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank resembles apartheid, calling for the dismantling of all settlements. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a report detailing what it described as systemic discrimination against Palestinians, citing restrictions on movement through checkpoints and limited access to roads, natural resources, land, and basic social facilities.

According to the UN report, Israel's policies lead to a "systematic asphyxiation of the rights of Palestinians in the West Bank." The report highlighted the impact of movement restrictions, which hinder Palestinians' ability to access essential services, employment, and education.

The OHCHR report also addressed the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, deemed illegal under international law. The report stated that these settlements exacerbate the fragmentation of Palestinian territory and further restrict Palestinian access to resources.

The findings of the UN report add to a growing international debate surrounding Israel's policies in the West Bank. Various human rights organizations have previously accused Israel of practicing apartheid, a term Israel strongly rejects.

Israel has yet to respond to the specific allegations in the UN report. However, Israeli officials have consistently maintained that its policies in the West Bank are necessary for security reasons and deny any systematic discrimination against Palestinians.

The report comes amid escalating tensions in the West Bank, with increased violence and settlement expansion. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is expected to present the report's findings to the UN Human Rights Council in the coming weeks, potentially leading to further international scrutiny of Israel's policies in the occupied territories.