ALBAWABA - In the West Bank's Northern Jordan Valley, reports emerge of Jewish settlers initiating the establishment of a new unauthorized settlement.
According to the Palestinian news outlet WAFA, a group of Jewish settlers has begun constructing a tourist-focused settlement in the Southern area of Ayn es-Sakut village, situated in the Northern Jordan Valley region.
Ayn es-Sakut is renowned for its picturesque natural landscapes and fertile agricultural lands.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a sternly worded condemnation of this unauthorized settlement, denouncing it as part of Israel's ongoing efforts to expand its control over Palestinian territories, thereby obstructing the prospects for a viable Palestinian state.
The ministry's statement also highlighted the involvement of right-wing ministers alongside settler groups and institutions in these violations.
This latest development, deemed a direct challenge to the international consensus favoring a two-state solution and peace efforts, underscores the persistent tensions in the region.
Israeli Minister of Settlement and National Vision, Orit Strock, confirmed the approval for the construction of 3,500 new housing units in defiance of international calls to cease settlement activities.
Israel had previously pledged to temporarily halt such activities during diplomatic meetings in Aqaba, Jordan, and Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in 2023, which involved stakeholders such as Palestine, Jordan, the US, and Egypt.
However, despite these assurances, settlement expansion has surged to unprecedented levels in recent years, further complicating efforts towards a peaceful resolution.
Under international law, Israel's control and establishment of Jewish settlements in occupied East Jerusalem, dating back to the 1967 Six-Day War, are deemed illegal.
