Israeli Occupation Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, announced on Thursday the approval for the construction of a new settlement named Mishmar Yehuda in Gush Etzion, south of Bethlehem, in the West Bank.

Smotrich emphasized that Tel Aviv will persist in permitting further settlement construction, signifying the ongoing momentum of settlement expansion.

The Israeli Occupation has seized 652 acres (about 2738 dunams) near the Ma'ale Adumim settlement, located east of occupied Jerusalem, according to Reuters, citing the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv. 

In response to the Ma'ale Adumim operation, which resulted in the death of a soldier and injuries to eight others, Smotrich declared that the retaliation to militant actions would involve the construction of additional settlement units.

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