Israel bracing for six-week Rafah operation immediately after Ramzan
The Israel government is bracing for a final operation in the Rafah region in Gaza bordering Egypt where it believes that most of the Israeli hostages and their handlers are.
Israel has served up plans for thousands of homes across the West Bank in the first announcement of settlement construction since President Donald Trump urged a building freeze in February.
An Israeli Defence Ministry committee responsible for West Bank construction gave the green light to plans for around 3,000 homes at various stages of the approval process.
Construction is far from finalised, but it's the first major approval of plans since Trump told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "hold back on settlements for a little bit" while Washington tries to renew peace talks.
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Netanyahu's office wasn't available for comment on whether the move was cleared with Washington beforehand.
Palestinians hope to establish a state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. They say Israeli settlements are an obstacle to peace.
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