<p>The UN's special Middle East envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, on Thursday warned Israel not to annex parts of the West Bank, saying such a move would be a "devastating blow" to the internationally-backed two-state solution.</p>.<p>In a video briefing with the Security Council, which holds a meeting each month on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Mladenov hailed what he called "inspiring examples of cooperation across conflict lines" in the coronavirus battle.</p>.<p>But he warned that in the past month, there has also been "continued confrontation and fighting, as the human toll of war continues to rise."</p>.<p>"The dangerous prospect of annexation by Israel of parts of the occupied West Bank is a growing threat," Mladenov said, warning that such a move would violate international law.</p>.<p>The envoy said annexation would also "deal a devastating blow to the two-state solution, close the door to a renewal of negotiations, and threaten efforts to advance regional peace."</p>.<p>A peace plan unveiled earlier this year by US President Donald Trump -- which was rejected by the Palestinians and condemned by much of the international community -- gave Israel the green light to annex Jewish settlements and other strategic territories in the occupied West Bank.</p>.<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and parliament speaker Benny Gantz struck a power-sharing deal this week, after three inconclusive elections in less than a year.</p>.<p>Netanyahu has heralded the Trump plan as a historic opportunity for Israel but Gantz has been more cautious.</p>.<p>Mladenov called on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to "seize this moment to take steps towards peace."</p>.<p>He also urged them to "reject unilateral moves that will only deepen the wedge between the two peoples and undermine the chances for peace."</p>
<p>The UN's special Middle East envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, on Thursday warned Israel not to annex parts of the West Bank, saying such a move would be a "devastating blow" to the internationally-backed two-state solution.</p>.<p>In a video briefing with the Security Council, which holds a meeting each month on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Mladenov hailed what he called "inspiring examples of cooperation across conflict lines" in the coronavirus battle.</p>.<p>But he warned that in the past month, there has also been "continued confrontation and fighting, as the human toll of war continues to rise."</p>.<p>"The dangerous prospect of annexation by Israel of parts of the occupied West Bank is a growing threat," Mladenov said, warning that such a move would violate international law.</p>.<p>The envoy said annexation would also "deal a devastating blow to the two-state solution, close the door to a renewal of negotiations, and threaten efforts to advance regional peace."</p>.<p>A peace plan unveiled earlier this year by US President Donald Trump -- which was rejected by the Palestinians and condemned by much of the international community -- gave Israel the green light to annex Jewish settlements and other strategic territories in the occupied West Bank.</p>.<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and parliament speaker Benny Gantz struck a power-sharing deal this week, after three inconclusive elections in less than a year.</p>.<p>Netanyahu has heralded the Trump plan as a historic opportunity for Israel but Gantz has been more cautious.</p>.<p>Mladenov called on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to "seize this moment to take steps towards peace."</p>.<p>He also urged them to "reject unilateral moves that will only deepen the wedge between the two peoples and undermine the chances for peace."</p>