Israel plans to build 3,300 new settlement homes

Israel announces plans for over 3,300 new settlement homes in West Bank after fatal attack

Israel intends to construct more than 3,300 new homes in settlements within the Israeli-occupied West Bank following a deadly Palestinian shooting.

A senior Cabinet minister made this announcement, drawing criticism from the U.S. amid heightened tensions due to Israel’s war on Palestine.

The decision to build was revealed by Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich known for his far-right views. He stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were part of the decision-making process.

The plan includes 300 new homes in the Kedar settlement, 2,350 in Maale Adumim, and advancing the construction of nearly 700 homes in Efrat.

What happened?

The shooting incident near the Maale Adumim settlement resulted in the death of one Israeli and injuries to five others.

This move to expand settlements further complicates the Joe Biden administration’s goal of eventual Palestinian governance in Gaza and the West Bank, seen as a step toward Palestinian statehood.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed disappointment at the Israeli announcement.

Under Netanyahu’s right-wing government, which includes prominent settlers like Smotrich, settlement expansion in east Jerusalem and the West Bank has increased.

These territories are sought by Palestinians for a future state, alongside Gaza. The move to build more settlements is viewed as pushing the prospects of Palestinian statehood further away according to advocates.

Source: Newsroom

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