Israel announces expansion of illegal settlements in occupied West Bank

Palestinian officials and rights groups decried the Israeli government’s decision to legalize some so-called “outposts” that were already built without government authorization.

The decision was made on Thursday by Israel Katz, the minister of defense, and Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister, who said using an Israeli term for the occupied West Bank to describe it as “strengthens our hold on Judea and Samaria.”

He continued, “a strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would put Israel at risk.”

Smotrich praised the “historic decision” and praised the settlement’s “historical decision” as he advocated for Israeli annexation of the West Bank.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party described the decision as a “once-in-a-generation decision,” citing its strategic significance in fortifying Israel’s hold on the eastern border with Jordan.

Around 500, 000 settlers live in Israel’s more than 100 illegal settlements spread throughout the occupied West Bank. Small outposts to larger communities with modern infrastructure are the size of the settlements.

More than three million Palestinians reside in the West Bank under Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority governing only a few areas.

Along with occupied East Jerusalem and Gaza, the Palestinians view the area as a crucial component of a future state.

Palestinians criticize “dangerous escalation.”

The Israeli government’s decision was criticized by Palestinian officials and human rights organizations, warning that the expansion of illegal settlements would harm the chances of a future Palestinian state.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the president of Palestine, criticized the decision, calling it “a dangerous escalation” and “a challenge to international legitimacy.”

He claimed that Israel was causing the region’s instability, and that it was breaking international law. According to him, “This decision goes against all international resolutions, particularly UN Security Council Resolution 2334,” adding that all settlement activity continues to be unlawful and illegitimate.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas official, criticized calls for action from the United States and the European Union.

Abu Zuhri told the news agency Reuters that the Israeli government’s decision to build 22 new settlements in the West Bank was a part of the Palestinian people’s conflict.

The West Bank will be dramatically altered and further enshrined, according to the Israeli NGO Peace Now.

The Israeli government no longer feigns to realize that its main objectives are the expansion of settlements and the annexation of the occupied territories, according to a statement.

According to Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim from the occupied West Bank, “this is the largest batch of illegal Israeli settlements to be approved in one decision.”

According to Ibrahim, “Palestinian communities are being strangled by Israeli settlements in the West Bank.” A future Palestinian state almost cannot be established on the ground because of these new settlements, which “fill the gaps.” Israel is using this situation to strengthen its occupation while Gaza is the focus of the world’s attention.