Israel announced on 22 March the seizure of eight square kilometers (1,977 acres) of land in West Bank’s Jordan Valley region. Activists call this the largest action of its kind in decades, indicating a significant objective in Israel’s plans for settlement expansion in the occupied territories. The Israel Broadcasting Authority disclosed that the area is, “for the construction of hundreds of residential units, in addition to an area designated for industry, commerce, and employment.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, head of Israel’s extreme-right Religious Zionism party, stated, “This declaration will allow the continuation of building and strengthening the Jordan Valley. At a time when there are those who seek to undermine our rights in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) and the country in general, we are strengthening settlements through serious and strategic work throughout the country.” Israel has continued to build settlements across the West Bank over the years, with over 490,000 Israelis now residing in the settlements alongside around three million Palestinians. The latest announcement comes on the 168th day of the Israeli war on Gaza, underlining Israel’s intent to strengthen its presence in the West Bank, despite the…
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