Israel Approves Expansion of Three West Bank Settlements by 2,000 Homes
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on June 3, 2026, the approval of 2,162 new housing units across three settlements in the occupied West Bank. The move was condemned by Palestinian leadership as a "provocative policy" that undermines the possibility of a two-state solution. This decision follows recent tensions regarding the International Criminal Court and ongoing debates within the Israeli government about the long-term status of Palestinian territories amid the regional conflict framework.