Isreale: The Israeli government has approved the legalisation of nine previously unauthorised Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

The decision was condemned by the Palestinian Authority (PA), which called the move “an open war” against its people.

According to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, more housing units are likely to be built in separate, existing illegal settlements.

“The nine communities had existed for many years; some have existed for decades,” the statement added. They were built without authorization from the Israeli government.

More than half a million Israelis live in more than 200 settlements built on Palestinian land that are considered illegal under international law. According to Palestinians, the settlement expansion threatens the viability of the future Palestinian state as part of the two-state solution.

According to Israel’s security minister, Mr. Itamar Ben Gvir, the steps have been taken now in response to two recent attacks by Palestinians that killed 10 Israelis in occupied East Jerusalem.

The administration of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas replied that Israel’s move should be “condemned and rejected.”

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry remarked in a statement that the latest decision “crossed all red lines” and undermined the revival of “the peace process.”

The United States, which provides billions of dollars in military aid to Israel, has yet to comment, but last month its ambassador stated that the country opposes the authorization of Israeli outposts. The Biden administration has expressed views against settlements.

The United Nations has condemned illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories in multiple resolutions and votes.

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