Israel's Security cabinet approved the establishment of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move the country's far-right Finance Minister said on Sunday (December 21, 2025) was aimed at preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state. Five of the 19 settlements already existed but had not previously been granted legal status under Israeli law, the statement said. U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Israel about annexing the West Bank. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and violence there has soared since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023 following Hamas's attack on Israel. At least 44 Israelis have been killed in the West Bank in Palestinian attacks or Israeli military operations during the same period, according to Israeli data.

Source: The Hindu December 21, 2025 15:15 UTC