Israel approves 2,162 new West Bank homes amid intensifying settlement expansion
The approval of 2,162 Jewish homes across the occupied West Bank has drawn sharp condemnation from the Palestinian presidency, which urged Washington to halt what it described as provocative policies.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has announced the approval of 2,162 new Jewish homes in the occupied West Bank, marking a significant escalation in settlement activity. The planning committee’s decision allocates 1,006 units near Jerusalem, 922 near Nablus, and 234 near Hebron. Smotrich framed the expansion as a strategic necessity, stating the construction would strengthen Israel’s hold on the territory and reinforce national security.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Smotrich argued that the development establishes "clear facts on the ground" intended to prevent the creation of an Arab state. "We are continuing to build the Land of Israel in practice," the far-right minister said, positioning the housing approvals as a concrete step toward annexation and long-term territorial control.
The announcement has drawn immediate ire from the Palestinian leadership. The office of President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the move as provocative, warning that such policies are driving the region toward further violence. The presidential office explicitly called on the United States to intervene and stop what it described as Israeli "madness," highlighting the diplomatic friction surrounding the expansion.
The construction of settlements in the occupied West Bank is widely considered illegal under international law and has been condemned by most nations. Smotrich himself has previously been sanctioned by the United Kingdom, France, and other states over accusations of inciting violence against Palestinians. The minister has consistently denounced these sanctions, asserting they would not alter Israeli policy or halt settlement activities.
Concurrent with the housing approvals, Israeli forces issued demolition notices to shops in Bazariya, northwest of Nablus, to facilitate a planned road. Additionally, settlers accompanied by bulldozers seized land in the village of Deir Sudan, northwest of Ramallah. These actions follow a February government decision that allowed Israel to claim territory as "state property" if Palestinians cannot prove ownership, a process that has accelerated land confiscation efforts in the region.
