Watchdog reveals massive West Bank settlement plans

Peace Now, an “Israeli” advocacy group for the two-state solution and a settlement watchdog, said that a tender has been issued for the construction of 974 illegal homes in the West Bank.

The organization said this move would increase the population of the Efrat settlement, south of Jerusalem, to expand 40%, and impact the development of the Palestinian city of Bethlehem.

“While the people of Israel [set] their sights on the release of the hostages and an end to the war, the Netanyahu government is operating ‘on steroids’ to establish facts on the ground that will destroy the chance for peace and compromise,” the organization said, according to Hebrew media.

The construction of these nearly 1,000 homes could be finished in one year, according to statements from Peace Now leading settlement monitor Hagit Ofran.