00:00Israel's Security Cabinet has approved the recognition of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank
00:06as the government pushes ahead with its settlement expansion drive.
00:11The proposal, put forward by Finance Minister Bezalel Smodrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz,
00:17is seen as an effort to block the establishment of a Palestinian state.
00:23The decision brings the total number of settlements approved over the past three years to 69,
00:29according to Smodrich.
00:30The approvals come just days after the United Nations said settlement expansion
00:35has reached its highest level since 2017.
00:38Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law.
00:43The move has also raised concerns over possible annexation of the West Bank,
00:47as violence in the territory has surged since October 2023.
00:52U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Israel against annexation,
00:55saying it would lose U.S. support if it proceeded.
00:59It's unexploded bombs.
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