Israel greenlights controversial new settlements in West Bank
The Israeli government has decided to approve new settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move supported by far-right nationalist groups within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Under international law, this is considered an illegal action.
The Israeli government approved 22 new settlements in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since the 1960s. This includes both the legalization of existing outposts and the construction of new ones.
Nearly three million Palestinians and over half a million Jewish settlers currently live in the West Bank.
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The West Bank, known in Israel as Judea and Samaria, is an area of intense Jewish settlement, which is regarded by most countries as contrary to international law.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from the nationalist Religious Zionism party described this decision as "a great day for the settlement movement and the state of Israel."
Palestinians view the development of settlements as a hindrance to the establishment of their state. Israel has been accused for years of violating Palestinian rights, including forced relocations.
The increase in activity by Jewish extremists in these areas further exacerbates the situation. On Monday (May 26) at 11:00 AM Eastern Time, during Israel's celebration of the 58th anniversary of the annexation of East Jerusalem, demonstrators shouted "death to Arabs" in neighbourhoods inhabited by Palestinians, as reported by sources including France 24.
Meanwhile, Israel is conducting a new ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The current installment of the long-standing war between Tel Aviv and Hamas has been ongoing since October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian organization invaded the southern region of the country, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping 251.
According to the Israeli army, 23 hostages remain captive, and the bodies of 35 are being held. The Hamas-controlled Palestinian authorities reported that the number of Palestinians killed since the start of the war has exceeded 54,000.
