Israel Approves Nearly 2,200 New Homes in Disputed West Bank Territory

Israel's Finance Minister approved 2,162 new housing units in West Bank settlements Wednesday, including 1,006 homes in a new area near Jerusalem. The settlements are built on land Israel controls but most of the world—the EU, UN, and others—considers occupied territory under international law. Construction typically takes 18 to 36 months. These approvals will likely strain relations with global institutions that oppose the expansion.