Israel approves more than 2,000 new housing units in the West Bank, an expansion denounced by many countries

The Israeli government announced on Wednesday the approval of the construction of more than 2,000 additional homes in settlements in the occupied West Bank, a decision that has sparked strong international criticism and reignited tensions around the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

According to Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a planning committee has approved the construction of 2,162 new housing units across three settlements. This expansion includes more than 1,000 units in a new settlement near Jerusalem, approximately 900 near Nablus, and several hundred near Hebron.

These territories are at the heart of Palestinian claims, which hope to establish a future independent state there. Most countries consider Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank to be illegal under international law and a major obstacle to the so-called two-state solution.

Bezalel Smotrich, a prominent figure in the ultranationalist wing of the Israeli government and head of part of the civil administration in the West Bank, defended the decision. He asserted that these constructions contribute to strengthening the Israeli presence in the territory and to the country's security.

In his statements, he also argued that these projects would create "faits accomplis," preventing, in his view, the formation of a Palestinian state, which he described as "terrorist." These remarks are likely to further intensify international criticism of Israeli settlement policy.

This new announcement comes amid already tense diplomatic relations, as several countries, including the United Kingdom and France, have imposed sanctions against Bezalel Smotrich, accusing him of inciting violence against Palestinians. For their part, the United States has repeatedly warned Israel against any prospect of annexing the West Bank.