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Israel's top security body has formally approved the establishment of 19 additional outposts in the disputed West Bank, representing a continued push for territorial growth.

Far-right Treasury Chief Bezalel Smotrich, who lives in a settlement and put forward the move in concert with Defense Chief Israel Katz, declared that the move was intended for thwarting the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Under international law, Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are viewed as unlawful.

The decision has drawn criticism from Saudi Arabia. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has previously stated that Israel's "persistent" settlement expansion fuels frictions, limits Palestinian use of territory, and undermines the viability of a sovereign Palestinian state.

Increased Unrest and Diplomatic Fallout

Unrest in the occupied West Bank has surged since the conflict in the Gaza Strip started in October 2023, further heightening apprehensions that the growth of communities could deepen the Israeli presence and undermine the chance for a peaceful resolution based on two states.

The two-state solution refers to the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with Jerusalem's eastern sector as its capital, broadly along the boundaries that existed prior to the 1967 Middle East war.

Upon assuming leadership in late 2022, the incumbent government in Jerusalem has greatly accelerated the authorization of fresh communities and initiated the formal recognition for unauthorised outposts, classifying them as "suburbs" of existing communities.

Sustained Expansion

The most recent approval brings the total number of settlements approved over the past three years to sixty-nine, according to Smotrich.

These authorizations are announced just days after the UN said that construction in settlements had hit its highest level since 2017.

The latest group of authorizations includes the revival of a pair of communities — Ganim and Kadim — which were evacuated about two decades ago.

In a previous move, the Israeli government approved 22 new communities in the occupied West Bank - what was the largest expansion in decades.

In a related development, the Israeli government sanctioned projects in August to construct more than three thousand homes in the so-called E1 area between Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim community, a project that had been on hold for many years amid fierce global opposition.

At that time, the Finance Minister stated it would "bury the idea of a Palestinian state."

Population Facts and Global Response

An estimated seven hundred thousand settlers live in about 160 settlements in the occupied territories, according to the Israel-based anti-settlement group Peace Now. This is territory that the Palestinian people envision for a future independent state.

This ongoing construction has angered Arab nations who have repeatedly argued it erodes hopes for a peaceful two-state outcome.

It has furthermore raised concerns about the potential formal annexation of the disputed territories.

Former American President Donald Trump had once warned Israel about annexation, stating to TIME magazine that Israel would forfeit all its support from the US if it occurred.

Recently, the United Kingdom - together with other countries such as Australia and Canada - formally recognized a State of Palestine, a significant although largely symbolic adjustment in foreign policy.

Israel opposed the move, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying that a sovereign Palestine "will not happen."