Jerusalem (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Israel gives final approval for 764 homes in three West Bank settlements, drawing global criticism over occupation and settlement expansion.
As reported by Reuters, Israel approved the construction of 764 housing units across three West Bank settlements on Wednesday.
What did Bezalel Smotrich say about West Bank housing approvals?
According to Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a vocal opponent of a Palestinian state, since he assumed office in late 2022, the government’s Higher Planning Council has approved approximately 51,370 housing units in the West Bank, an area Palestinians claim for a future independent state.
He said,
“We continue the revolution,”
adding that the recent approval of housing units
“is part of a clear strategic process of strengthening the settlements and ensuring continuity of life, security, and growth … and genuine concern for the future of the State of Israel.”
The new homes will be built in Hashmonaim, just over the Green Line in central Israel, and in the West Bank settlements of Givat Zeev and Beitar Illit near Jerusalem.
Most countries consider Israel’s settlements on territory captured in the 1967 war to be illegal, and multiple UN Security Council resolutions have urged Israel to halt all settlement activity.
According to Israeli officials, settlements are essential to the country’s security and are justified by historical, religious, and political claims.
A UN report showed an increase in settler attacks on Palestinians, recording 264 incidents in the West Bank in October, the highest monthly total since tracking began in 2006.
Why Palestinians oppose Israel’s new housing units in the West Bank?
Wasel Abu Yousef, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Executive Committee, said,
“For us, all the settlements are illegal…and they are contrary to all the resolutions of international legitimacy.”
The expansion of settlements in the West Bank is strongly opposed by Palestinians, who argue that such developments undermine the possibility of an independent Palestinian state.
They also oppose the E1 settlement in the West Bank due to its strategic location on the remaining land corridor between the northern and southern areas, which could create a physical barrier and threaten territorial continuity.
The expansion of settlements in the West Bank is seen as a violation of international law, which considers the territory occupied. The International Court of Justice has ruled Israel’s presence there unlawful, calling for the removal of the settlements, while the Palestinian Authority and numerous countries condemn the construction as illegal annexation.
What is the current situation in Gaza regarding the war?
The conflict between Israel and Hamas is currently in a fragile ceasefire, as per a US-supported peace plan, but faces critical challenges for lasting peace.
A formal ceasefire has been in place since October 10, 2025, ending the most intense fighting. However, both sides accuse each other of repeated violations.
According to reports, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in Israeli actions since the truce began, and fighting continues in limited areas.
The conflict caused catastrophic destruction, displacing most of Gaza’s population and creating a severe hunger crisis. The future governance of Gaza is unresolved.
The US peace plan for Gaza proposes an international oversight board and a force to secure Gaza, but these entities have not yet formed.
How does the UK plan to support Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction post-ceasefire?
In a landmark statement, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed in September that the UK now formally recognises Palestine as an independent state, signalling the government’s commitment to peace in the Middle East and regional stability.
In an effort to help Gaza rebuild, the British Prime Minister said,
“We stand determined to seize this opportunity to deliver a lasting peace, and a stable, secure future for the whole region.”
He added,
“The UK will support the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan, so that people on both sides can rebuild their lives in safety and security.”
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said,
“The UK has worked intensively with international partners in recent months to create the momentum that has led to President Trump’s peace initiative, and to support the ceasefire that is now in place, but we now need to work with the same intensity and urgency to develop a plan for Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction.”
She stated,
“Gaza has been completely devastated. The ceasefire gives us the opportunity not just to urgently scale up humanitarian efforts but also to look to the future of Gaza’s recovery. Rubble must be cleared, infrastructure repaired, healthcare restored and homes rebuilt.”
Ms Cooper added,
“UK support delivered through UNICEF, the WFP and the NRC will help towards immediate humanitarian needs. Long-term recovery must be Palestinian-led but broad public and private investment will be needed to deliver the scale of reconstruction necessary.”
In the ongoing financial year, Britain has allocated £74 million to support humanitarian efforts in Palestine.