JERUSALEM/ Anadolu

The Israeli government has approved allocating approximately $334 million to fund the construction of roads to connect new settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli Channel 7, affiliated with settlers, reported on Thursday that the government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu approved a budget exceeding 1 billion shekels (about $334 million).

It explained that the budget will cover upgrading existing roads and constructing new ones to connect dozens of new settlements approved by the security cabinet during the war.

On October 8, 2023, Israel, with US support, launched a genocidal war in the Gaza Strip that lasted two years, resulting in over 73,000 Palestinians killed and more than 173,000 injured, most of them children and women.

The channel quoted Finance Minister, leader of the far-right Religious Zionism party, Bezalel Smotrich, describing the decision as "historic".

Smotrich added that the decision "will enable the establishment of dozens of settlements in strategic locations in the West Bank."

He added that the multi-year plan will ensure the planning and construction of new roads, development of existing roads, and improved connectivity between settlements, along with integrating security measures.

The United Nations considers the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as occupied Palestinian territory and stresses that settlement there is "illegal" under international law.

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