Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that the current government will preserve and keep the settlement blocs in the West Bank.

Gantz's statement came during a meeting with members of the Meretz Party in the Israeli government to discuss security and political issues.

He stressed that "we will preserve the settlement blocs in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) and strengthen the existing local councils."

Gantz's statement about settlements in the West Bank came a few days after a phone call between him and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.