Israel Approves Controversial West Bank Settlement

Israel has published plans for a new settlement named Nahal Heletz in the occupied West Bank, located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site near Bethlehem, despite international condemnation and the UN's ruling deeming Israeli settlements illegal. The plan, announced by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, is part of a broader strategy to connect Gush Etzion to Jerusalem and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. The settlement approval follows a series of aggressive settlement expansions since the October 2023 war with Hamas, intensifying regional tensions. Smotrich has emphasized that no international decisions will halt these developments, describing the move as a national mission. The announcement coincides with ongoing Gaza ceasefire negotiations and has drawn criticism from Palestinian and international communities.