Israel approves $2.3bn West Bank settlement expansion

The agreement was signed during an official ceremony attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich,

JERUSALEM: Israel has signed a 8.5 billion-shekel ($2.3 billion) framework agreement to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank, paving the way for the construction of 12,000 new housing units along with major infrastructure projects.

The agreement was signed during an official ceremony attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Israel Land Authority Director General Yehuda Eliyahu, and Shomron Regional Council head Yossi Dagan.

Israeli media described the deal as a major milestone that is expected to accelerate settlement expansion and significantly reshape the region through new residential developments and upgraded infrastructure.

According to the Israeli anti-settlement organization Peace Now, nearly 500,000 Israeli settlers currently live in settlements across the occupied West Bank, while an additional 250,000 reside in settlements in occupied East Jerusalem.

The United Nations has consistently maintained that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal under international law, arguing that continued expansion undermines efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution.

Palestinian leaders continue to demand East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state, citing international resolutions that do not recognize Israel’s occupation of the territory since 1967 or its subsequent annexation of the city.