OSLO, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide on Tuesday described a new UN report on the forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank as "highly disturbing," citing repeated and systematic violations of humanitarian law by Israel.

In a statement, Eide said Israel's planned displacement of Palestinians has raised concerns at the United Nations over ethnic cleansing, adding that many Palestinians have fled their homes due to rising violence and abuse.

A report released on Tuesday by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said Israel has accelerated the expansion of unlawful settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, displacing more than 36,000 Palestinians. The report documented 1,732 incidents of settler violence causing casualties or property damage between Nov. 1, 2024 and Oct. 31, 2025.

Eide said Norway supports UN calls to halt and reverse settlement expansion and end the occupation, stressing that displaced Palestinians must be allowed to return and that Israel must ensure civilian protection. ■