Israel announces establishment of 11 new settlements in the West Bank Israel has announced the creation of 11 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, a decision that risks exacerbating tensions amidst efforts to begin the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza. The government is also set to legalise and recognise eight outpost and neighbourhoods of existing settlements that were so far regarded as illegal under Israeli law. The new settlements were approved by the security cabinet on 12 December and was proposed by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz. This brings the total number of approved settlements under Smotrich's time in office since November 2022 to 69. The minister hailed the move as "a record like no other", adding in an X post that the "people of Israel are returning to their land, building it and strengthening their hold on it". Read more: Israel announces establishment of 11 new settlements in the West Bank An Israeli settler disrupts a Palestinian farmer's olive harvest near the occupied West Bank village of Turmus Ayya, 28 October 2025 (Zain Jaafar/AFP)