Israel plans to build nearly 300 new settler units near occupied al-Quds

Israel plans to build nearly 300 settler units south of al-Quds, expanding unlawful settlement activities in the occupied city despite international condemnation.

Moshe Lion, the mayor of al-Quds, announced the plan on Monday to build a new settlement neighborhood south of the occupied city.

According to the plan, 296 settler units will be constructed in the area of Pat Junction near the town of Beit Safafa.

Lion added that the new neighborhood would be built along the light rail line in the area.

Israel occupied East al-Quds, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip during the Six-Day War in 1967. It later had to withdraw from Gaza but has been occupying the other territories since.

More than 600,000 Israelis live in over 230 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds.

All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law as they are built on occupied land. The United Nations Security Council has condemned Israel’s settlement activities in the occupied territories in several resolutions.

The Israeli regime’s plans to force a number of Palestinian families out of their homes at the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East al-Quds and Israeli violent raids on worshipers at Al-Aqsa Mosque prompted Palestinian retaliation that was followed by a brutal Israeli bombing campaign against the besieged Gaza Strip on May 10. About 260 Palestinians were killed in the 11-day Israeli offensive.