Israel advancing plans to increase illegal settlements, says Palestinian commission
Since the beginning of July, planning bodies linked to Israel’s civil administration have pushed 25 structural plans for the expansion of illegal settlement units in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Colonisation and Wall Resistance Commission said.
In a news release, the head of the commission, Muayyad Shaaban, said the rapid advancement of the settlement was part of a race against time to change the situation in the occupied territory by expanding existing settlements, legalising outposts, and tightening restrictions on Palestinians – denying the possibility of a Palestinian state.
Shaaban added that the reviewed plans included the submission of 10 structural plans for future approval, while 15 new plans were already approved.
According to the head of the commission, the approved plans aim to build 899 new settlement units, while the submitted plans, awaiting approval, involve 586 settlement units.
Shaaban reiterated that Israel’s plans in the occupied West Bank constitute grave violations of basic human rights.
Israeli forces surround Rafidia, Arab Specialised Hospital in Nablus: Wafa
Israeli forces have surrounded the Rafidia and Arab Specialised hospitals in Nablus, the occupied West Bank.
According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, Israeli forces stormed the city, surrounding the Rafidia hospital, and stationed themselves near the emergency entrances, while firing sound bombs.
The Arab Specialised Hospital was also surrounded.
Israeli troops raid refugee camp in occupied West Bank
Israeli forces have stormed the Am’ari refugee camp in el-Bireh city in the occupied West Bank. Security sources told the Wafa news agency no arrests have been reported.
Earlier, Israeli forces stormed the Sateh Marhaba neighbourhood in Ramallah, firing tear gas canisters at homes and causing residents to suffocate.
