More West Bank settlements OK'd; Gaza strikes kill at least 34
Briefly

Israel's announcement of 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, including legalization of unauthorized outposts, is met with significant international concern. This expansion, described as the most extensive since the 1993 Oslo accords, is seen as a move to solidify Israeli control over the region, with the Defense Minister framing it as a necessary response to Palestinian terrorism. Settlers living in these areas already number approximately 500,000, while 3 million Palestinians remain under military rule, complicating prospects for a two-state solution and further deepening the conflict.
Israel's Defense Minister stated that the establishment of new settlements reinforces Israel's historical claim to the West Bank and serves as a response to Palestinian terrorism.
The announcement marks the largest settlement expansion since the 1993 Oslo accords, with implications for reshaping the West Bank and increasing the occupation.
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