Israel approves thousands of illegal settlement homes in East Al-Quds

According to Peace Now activist Hagit Ofran, the Palestinian area of Khirbet Tabalya, southwest of the city, had already been allocated for use in Givat Hamatos. She described yesterday's approval as a "bureaucratic move."

"The expropriation is necessary to advance the plan. But the plan as a whole is hurtling forward – it seems to be very much a done deal," Ofran said.

The illegal settlement currently consists of a set of caravans and mobile homes set up in the early 1990s for Ethiopian settlers.

The announcement of the expropriation comes just a day after Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid met with US Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington.

Despite repeated warnings from Israel's allies against the building of settlements in the West Bank – all of which are illegal under international law – the Bennet government has continued to push ahead with construction.

The EU statement also reminded Israel that, "All settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal according to international law. The European Union reiterates its call to the Israeli government to stop building settlements and to urgently reverse its recent decisions."