Israel Authorizes at Least 22 Jewish Settlements in Occupied West Bank

Israel will build 22 new settlements in the West Bank, including some along its eastern border with Jordan, to strengthen its grip on the territory and block the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

- Agencies

TEL AVIV:

The plan, which has been approved by the security cabinet, comes as Israel is facing mounting pressure from European allies to end its 19-month war in Gaza, which has destroyed large parts of the coastal enclave, killed tens of thousands, and sparked a hunger crisis. The expansion of settlements is a violation of international law, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office.

The move could harden attitudes against Israel ahead of a UN summit co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia in New York next month that aims to rally support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.