Israel to give green light to 3,000 new homes for Zionist settlers in occupied West Bank

Israel is set to move forward with thousands of new homes for Zionist settlers in the occupied West Bank this week, a watchdog group said today. 

The plan to construct almost 3,000 new illegal houses in the West Bank has already drawn calls for restraint from the US, which on Friday voiced 'concern' over the expected approvals.

Hagit Ofran, from the anti-settlement group Peace Now, said a committee is set to meet on Wednesday to approve 2,800 units deep in the West Bank.

It would further complicate any efforts to create a Palestinian state and represents the latest development in a long, protracted conflict in the region.

Despite much of the international community viewing such settlements as illegal, more than half of the residences are receiving final approval, meaning construction could begin as early as next year.