ABU DHABI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday condemned Israel's newly-announced settlement plan in the occupied West Bank and its ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the measures were "serious violations of international law and relevant UN resolutions" and posed a grave threat to regional and international efforts to achieve peace and establish an independent Palestinian state.

It warned of "catastrophic consequences" from continued hostilities, saying they would worsen the humanitarian crisis and endanger regional security.

The UAE urged an immediate halt to settlement expansion and military operations and called on the international community to act to stop the violations and launch a credible political process leading to lasting peace.

Israel this week announced plans to build thousands of new settlement units in the West Bank, a move widely criticized by the international community as a major obstacle to a two-state solution. ■