Israel approves 19 new settlements in occupied West Bank

Israel approves 19 new settlements in occupied West Bank, drawing condemnation from Saudi Arabia. UN Secretary-General highlights how relentless settlement expansion restricts Palestinian access to land and hinders the possibility of a sovereign Palestinian state. These settlements are considered illegal under international law, with concerns that they undermine the two-state solution. Netanyahu's government has significantly increased settlement approvals, adding to the existing 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, raising fears of entrenching the occupation and jeopardizing peace efforts.