GENEVA

Belgium on Friday voiced concern over rising violence in the occupied West Bank, singling out recent Israeli military operations in Tulkarm.

"Belgium is deeply worried about the escalating cycle of violence in the West Bank, including the mass raids of Israeli Defence Forces against Tulkarem and its residents," the Foreign Ministry said in a post on the US social media company X.

The ministry reiterated its "strong" condemnation of Israel's E1 settlement expansion plan in the E1 area near Jerusalem, calling it "a clear breach of international law" and warning that it undermines the possibility of a two-state solution.

Brussels further highlighted the Palestinian Authority's fiscal crisis, urging Israel to transfer withheld tax revenues to help prevent further instability.

"We urge Israel to take immediate steps to end its unlawful continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory. All parties must work for tangible progress towards a two-State solution," the ministry said.