Israel approves 2,162 new West Bank settlement units

The Israeli government announced the approval of 2,162 new housing units across three West Bank settlements – over 1,000 near Jerusalem, about 900 near Nablus and several hundred near Hebron. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the plan, vetted by a planning committee under the defence ministry, is intended to strengthen Israeli presence and hinder the creation of a Palestinian state.

The decision was condemned by the Palestinian Authority, whose president Mahmoud Abbas warned it could spark further violence. Numerous countries, including France, the United Kingdom and members of the European Union, consider the settlements illegal under international law and have imposed or announced sanctions against Smotrich for incitement of violence against Palestinians.