Israel to build 11 new settlements in West Bank

The Israeli Government has announced that it will create 11 new settlements and recognize eight "illegal settlements" in the West Bank. This was reported on December 21 by The Times of Israel newspaper.

According to the newspaper, the initiators of the construction are Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz. The decision on the construction was made by the security cabinet on December 12, but it became known about it only on December 21, the article says.

Smotrich said that the decision to build was made in order to block the Palestinian state.

State turnaround: Palestine will submit a draft constitution by November 24

How does Hamas react to this and what to expect from Israel

It became known on September 21 that Canada, Great Britain, Australia and France officially recognized the statehood of Palestine. The move is part of a coordinated international effort aimed at creating new momentum for a two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which will include a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

In October, US President Donald Trump said that Israel had no intention of annexing the West Bank.

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