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Israel's defense cabinet has voted to recognize the formalization of nineteen fresh outposts in the occupied Palestinian territories, marking a continued push for territorial growth.

Hardline Treasury Chief Bezalel Smotrich, a settler who advocated for the move in concert with Defence Minister Israel Katz, declared that the decision was intended for thwarting the formation of a sovereign Palestine.

Under international law, Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are viewed as illegal.

The move has sparked criticism from Saudi Arabia. The United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has commented that Israel's "unceasing" settlement expansion heightens tensions, limits Palestinians' access to land, and undermines the viability of a sovereign Palestinian state.

Escalating Unrest and Political Fallout

Unrest in the occupied West Bank has increased sharply since the hostilities in Gaza erupted in October 2023, adding to fears that settlement expansion could entrench Israel's occupation and undermine the possibility for a two-state solution.

The concept of two states envisions the formation of a State of Palestine in the Palestinian territories, with Jerusalem's eastern sector as its seat of government, broadly along the lines that existed before the 1967 Middle East war.

Since coming to power in late 2022, the present Israeli government has ramped up the green-lighting of new settlements and initiated the formal recognition for unauthorised outposts, classifying them as "suburbs" of existing settlements.

Ongoing Expansion

The latest approval brings the cumulative figure of settlements approved over the last three years to 69, according to Smotrich.

These approvals arrive just days after the UN reported that settlement expansion had attained its most intense pace since 2017.

The most recent group of approvals encompasses the re-establishment of two settlements — Ganim and Kadim — which were evacuated nearly two decades ago.

In a previous move, Israel gave the nod to twenty-two additional communities in the territories - described as the most significant wave of approvals in many years.

Additionally, the Israeli government sanctioned plans in August to build over three thousand residences in the so-called E1 project between Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim community, a project that had been stalled for many years amid intense global objection.

At that time, the Finance Minister said it would "end the idea of a Palestinian state."

Demographic Realities and International Reactions

An estimated 700,000 Israeli settlers dwell in about 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as per data from the Israeli monitoring organization Peace Now. This is territory that the Palestinian people aspire to have for a future sovereign nation.

Settlement expansion has drawn ire from neighboring countries who have consistently argued it undermines hopes for a peaceful two-state outcome.

It has furthermore fueled fears about the eventual formal annexation of the disputed territories.

Ex- American President Donald Trump had previously cautioned the Israeli leadership about this step, stating to a publication that the country would forfeit its backing from the United States if it happened.

In a policy change, the United Kingdom - together with other nations including Australia and Canada - recognised a State of Palestine, a notable although largely symbolic shift in government policy.

Israel strongly rejected this step, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that a sovereign Palestine "will not happen."