Israel vows to expand al-Khalil settlement

Following the killing of two Israeli soldiers over the last three days, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would expand a controversial Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank city of al-Khalil ('Hebron').

“We will continue to fight 'terrorism' with one hand, and strengthen settlements with the other,’’ Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu said he would allow for the immediate resettlement of Beit Hamachpela, an illegal building near al-Khalil's holy Ibrahimi Mosaue.

Jewish settlers who occupied the building without permission were evicted last year by the regime.