DayofPal- Israel has sanctioned over 80 illegal settlement plans in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem since late 2022, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) revealed.
These approvals encompass tens of thousands of settlement units, as detailed in a report published on Saturday by the PLO’s National Bureau for the Defense of Land and Resistance to Settlements.
The document underscores a rapid and unprecedented expansion of Israeli settlements on Palestinian territories, facilitated by governmental decisions and military directives.
Moreover, the Israeli army has reportedly established “buffer zones” around numerous settlements, encroaching upon adjacent Palestinian villages under the pretext of ensuring security for Israeli colonial settlers.
Current Israeli estimates suggest that over 720,000 Israelis now reside in illegal settlement outposts within the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The pace of settlement construction has markedly intensified since the ascendance of Israel’s right-wing government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in December 2022.
The international community, including the United Nations, deems these settlements illegal under international law.
The UN has consistently warned that the ongoing expansion of settlements jeopardizes the viability of a two-state solution, a framework widely regarded as essential for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In a pivotal legal development in July, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a ruling declaring Israel’s prolonged occupation of Palestinian territories as “illegal.” The court called for the immediate dismantling of all existing illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Despite widespread global condemnation and urgent calls to halt settlement activities, Israel persists in its expansion efforts, exacerbating tensions within the region.
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