Israel on Thursday approved a massive expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, marking a major victory for far-right legislators supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition.
This decision has raised concerns among the international community that continued efforts to ensure a ceasefire agreement in Gaza may be undermined.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezarel Smotrich said in a joint statement Thursday: "The establishment of all new communities has a long-term strategic vision, aiming to strengthen Israel's control over the territory, prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, and ensure the development reserves for settlement in the coming decades.
The decision will establish 22 settlements in the occupied West Bank.of of which, 12 will be the legalization of outposts previously built without the government's authorization. This is the largest such expansion of Israel since the signing of the Oslo Agreement in 1993, which aims to open a path for the establishment of the Palestinian state.
There are 100 West Bank Multiple settlements, home to approximately 500,000 Israeli settlers. Israeli settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights are considered illegal under international law.
Last year 7 In the month, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel's existence in the occupied territories was illegal and demanded that all settlements be stopped immediately. Israel condemned the ruling.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, said the expansion was a "dangerous escalation and a challenge to international legitimacy and international law."
Earlier this week, Abu Rudeineh warned that the move would "perpetuate regional violence and instability."
The fatal attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank by Jewish settlers have surged since Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Smotridge and other extremist MPs have pushed Netanyahu to expand Israeli control over the region, with the ultimate goal of ensuring full sovereignty.
“Time and again, the government made it clear that it would rather deepen the occupation and advance the de facto annexation than pursue peace,” said Peace Now, an Israeli non-governmental organization. “The Israeli government no longer pretends not to do this: annexation of occupied territories and expanding settlements is its central goal. ”
This year In February, Katz warned the Israeli military to “be prepared for a long-term existence in the region” as Israel deployed tanks to the region for the first time in decades as part of an ongoing operation against militant groups in Palestinian refugee camps.
Ten thousand Palestinians have been displaced in recent weeks alone. "
