Israel announces new West Bank colonies, ignores International sanctions

Israel’s government has approved 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, its finance minister said on Thursday, a move that could deepen divisions with some allies who have threatened sanctions over such moves.

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Israeli media cited the defence ministry as saying that among the new settlements, existing “outposts” would be legalised and new settlements would also be built.

The Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited rule in the West Bank, and Hamas condemned the Israeli decision. Britain, France and Canada this month warned Israel they could impose targeted sanctions if Israel continued to broaden settlement in the West Bank.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu has told families of hostages held in Gaza that Israel has accepted a new ceasefire proposal presented by Trump’s West Asia envoy Steve Witkoff.

Hamas said earlier that it had received the new proposal and was studying it.