Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:50pm on 21 Dec 2025,Sunday International
Israel has approved 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. The decision was cleared by the security cabinet. Far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich proposed the move. He said it was meant to block a future Palestinian state. Settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law. Saudi Arabia condemned the decision. The United Nations warned the move will raise tensions. Violence in the area has increased since the Gaza war began. Rights groups say settlement growth weakens chances of peace. About 700,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. (PC: BBC)
