UPDATE: Israel’s cabinet has just approved the establishment of 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to ultranationalist Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich. This decision marks a significant escalation in the government’s settlement expansion agenda, bringing the total number of new settlements in recent years to an unprecedented 69.
The approval, confirmed earlier today, increases the number of settlements in the West Bank by nearly 50 percent during the current government’s tenure. As of now, there are 210 settlements across the region, a sharp rise from 141 in 2022, reports the anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now. The latest settlements include Kadim and Ganim, which were previously dismantled in 2005 as part of Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.
This urgent development comes amidst ongoing tensions in the region, with the US urging both Israel and Hamas to proceed with the second phase of the Gaza Strip ceasefire that began on October 10, 2023. The US-brokered plan aims to establish a potential pathway to a Palestinian state, a goal that the current settlement expansions threaten to undermine.
The Israeli cabinet’s decision also includes retroactive legalization of previously established outposts and the creation of settlements on land from which Palestinians were forcibly removed, according to the finance ministry. Settlements can vary in size from individual homes to large complexes.
The approval comes at a time of increased military activity in the West Bank, with Israeli forces conducting operations following the October 7 Hamas-led attack that ignited the ongoing war in Gaza. Tragically, recent clashes have resulted in the deaths of two Palestinians, including a 16-year-old, during military operations in northern West Bank towns.
Meanwhile, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Catholic leader in the Holy Land, visited Gaza’s only Catholic church to celebrate a pre-Christmas Mass, providing a moment of solace amidst the turmoil. “We aim to be a stable, solid reference point in this sea of destruction,” Pizzaballa stated during his visit, emphasizing the community’s resilience during these challenging times.
As tensions escalate and the situation continues to unfold, all eyes will be on Israel’s next moves regarding settlement expansions and military operations. This developing story highlights the urgent need for dialogue and peaceful resolutions in a region marked by conflict and humanitarian challenges.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation evolves.
