Israel greenlights 764 homes in West Bank settlements amid rising tensions

• Israel approved 764 new housing units in three West Bank settlements: Hashmonaim, Beitar Illit, and Givat Ze’ev.
• Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the decision, calling it a strategic move to strengthen settlements.
• The international community considers these settlements illegal, with the UN Security Council opposing their expansion.
• Palestinian President's spokesperson condemned the approval, warning it could ignite the region and lead to violence.
• This decision follows other recent settlement expansions and a surge of settler attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Why It Matters: Israel's settlement expansion further destabilizes the region and hinders peace efforts.