Israeli liberal advocacy group urging a two-state solution
Multiple reports confirm that Israeli officials have advanced plans to expand settlements in the West Bank, including thousands of new homes and infrastructure. The push is led by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and could reshape settlement footprint, raising tensions with Palestinians and drawing international condemnation.
Amid rising settlement expansion in the West Bank, Israeli policy advances 69 new settlements with a total plan value of $388m, while a parallel UN-backed and Amnesty reports allege state-backed displacement of Palestinians. Western powers impose coordinated sanctions targeting settler networks; human rights groups call for broader accountability as violence intensifies.
Several sources report that more than 4,000 Israeli settlers have stormed the Al-Aqsa compound on Tisha B’Av, with far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entering under heavy police protection. Palestinian officials say restrictions barred many worshippers; officials warn the move could threaten the status quo and spur regional tensions.
Israeli settlers have besieged at least two Palestinian homes on Qusra's outskirts since Sunday, cutting water and electricity and blocking access. Israeli security forces have repeatedly failed to remove the settlers; the army has declared a closed military zone, deployed reinforcements and opened disciplinary probes after footage showed soldiers praying with settlers. The US embassy has publicly condemned the siege.
Western powers condemn Israel’s plan to open tenders for about 1,200 settlement homes in the West Bank’s E1 corridor east of Jerusalem. The move risks dividing the territory and complicating a two-state path. France, Germany, Italy, the UK and Canada call for retracting the plan; the UN warns of existential threats to a Palestinian state. Bids are due October 19, ahead of Israeli elections.