The Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now has revealed the establishment of seven new settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank over the past six months. Five of these outposts have been set up on expansive tracts of land in the eastern and southeastern regions of Bethlehem, while the remaining two are located east of the "Ofra" settlement in Ein Yabrud village and near the "Shilo" settlement in Turmus Aya village.
The report also highlighted the forced displacement of Palestinian residents from these areas. Many fled their homes due to fears of Israeli settler violence, leaving their properties vulnerable to takeover by settlers.
Settlement expansion has surged significantly under Israel's current right-wing government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which came to power in December 2022. This increase in settlement activity has intensified tensions and further undermined prospects for peace in the region.
Settlement activity in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is considered illegal under international law and has drawn widespread condemnation from the international community.
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