Israeli ministers announce plans for new illegal settlements in Gaza and West Bank

Defence minister seeks three ‘Nahal’ outposts in Gaza as top commander says Israel now controls 65% of the strip, violating Trump ceasefire deal

Palestinian laborers work at the site of a new housing project in the West Bank Jewish Settlement of Beit El. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)

Israel’s defence and finance ministers announced plans for three illegal settlements in Gaza and more than $400m (€350m) in funding to expand construction in the occupied West Bank, as Israel’s military commander for the region celebrated violent outposts as his “security partners”.

With national elections scheduled for October 27, Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition is racing to expand control of land in occupied Palestine and drive out Palestinians before its mandate expires.