Hamas calls on int’l community to act against Israeli settlement plan

Hamas said in a press statement on Thursday that the Israeli occupation’s intention to approve the construction of 1,973 new settlement units in the West Bank represents a dangerous escalation in its policy of Judaization and settlement expansion.

The movement called on the international community and its institutions to assume their responsibilities regarding this reckless settlement expansion and to end the policy of double standards.

Hamas’ remarks came in response to an earlier announcement by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who said that the Higher Planning Council would, in its next session, approve the construction of 1,973 housing units in the West Bank.
The announcement comes amid growing tensions following the Knesset’s preliminary approval of two bills to apply Israeli “sovereignty” over the occupied West Bank and to annex the Ma’ale Adumim settlement near occupied al-Quds, measures that were widely condemned by Arab states and international organizations. The bills passed narrowly after support from far-right parties, exposing deep divisions within the Israeli parliament.

US President Donald Trump has since rejected the annexation plan, warning in an interview with Time Magazine that “Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened.” Similarly, Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that the move “is potentially threatening to the peace deal” and could derail Washington’s efforts to preserve the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.

Following the backlash, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the suspension of both proposals, reportedly under US pressure, while Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir continued to call for full sovereignty over the West Bank.