Israel has recently issued a tender for the construction of almost 1,000 additional settler homes in the occupied West Bank, according to an anti-settlement watchdog. The development of 974 new housing units is expected to facilitate a 40% population increase in the Efrat settlement, further impeding the growth of the nearby Palestinian city of Bethlehem.
Peace Now, a group dedicated to monitoring settlements, highlighted that the construction process can commence following the contracting phase and issuance of permits, a timeline that may extend for at least another year.
Israel's capture of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war has been a contentious issue. The Palestinians aspire to claim all three territories for their future state and perceive the settlements as a significant barrier to peace, a stance that garners broad international backing.
During his previous term, President Donald Trump notably bolstered support for the settlements. Despite Democratic administrations expressing criticism, Israel has persistently expanded settlements, with over 100 established across the West Bank, varying from hilltop outposts to fully-fledged communities resembling small towns.
The occupied West Bank currently accommodates over 500,000 settlers alongside approximately 3 million Palestinians. While settlers possess Israeli citizenship, Palestinians reside under military jurisdiction, with the Western-supported Palestinian Authority overseeing population centers.
Several prominent human rights organizations have characterized the situation as apartheid, contentions refuted by the Israeli government. Israel perceives the West Bank as the historical and biblical core of the Jewish people and opposes Palestinian statehood.
Advocating for a negotiated two-state resolution to the conflict, Peace Now criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration for advancing settlement construction amid the captivity of numerous hostages following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack in the Gaza Strip.
The group expressed concerns that the government's actions could jeopardize prospects for peace and compromise, emphasizing the urgency of focusing on hostage release and conflict resolution.
For more updates on the ongoing conflict, visit AP's war coverage.
