Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has announced plans for the construction of 2,162 housing units in settlements across the occupied West Bank, marking the latest expansion of Israeli settlement activity in the territory.
Smotrich said the approvals were part of a broader effort to strengthen Israel’s presence in the West Bank. The proposed housing units are expected to be distributed among several settlements, with some projects advancing through planning stages while others move closer to construction. Palestinian officials condemned the move, arguing that continued settlement expansion further reduces the prospects for a future Palestinian state and deepens tensions in the region. They maintain that settlement construction on occupied land violates international law and undermines efforts to reach a negotiated resolution to the conflict.
The announcement also drew criticism from rights groups and international observers who have repeatedly voiced concerns about the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. The latest plans come amid ongoing political and security tensions across the occupied Palestinian territory, where settlement growth remains one of the most contentious issues in the decades-long conflict.
