Politics

European countries denounced the E1 settlements

Building settlements could put hundreds of Palestinians at risk of expulsion

Around 3400 additional settlement housing units would be built on E1 in West Bank

The plot lies east of Jerusalem which Israelis and Palestinians consider their capital

Israeli troops regularly raid Palestinian cities and restrict movement of Palestinians

Adam Rasgon is a reporter for The Times in Jerusalem covering Israeli and Palestinian affairs

Mr el-Halabi said We need one more than anything else

Mr el-Halabi remained optimistic Israel Hamas could reach a cease-fire

The Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not said whether it would accept the cease-fire proposal

In early phases of the war Israeli soldiers have carried out operations in Gaza City including at Al-Shifa Hospital before withdrawing

New operation will also expand humanitarian aid in southern Gaza where displaced people are being told to move

That has been accompanied by campaign of brazen attacks by Jewish extremists on Palestinian communities

Israeli authorities have advanced plans for more than 20000 housing units as of late July already the highest tally in years

About 500000 Israeli settlers and about three million Palestinians live in West Bank

International community generally considers settlements to be illegal and obstacles to Israeli-Palestinian peace

United States had pressured Israel to reject settlement expansion

Project known as East One or E1 was delayed for more than two decades

Israeli troops were sending remote-controlled vehicles packed with explosives to blow up buildings block by block in Zeitoun neighborhood

City and its surrounding neighborhoods remain a stronghold for Hamas fighters and militants’ government

The military operation was described as gradual precise and targeted