Israel issues tender for new units

Israel has reportedly issued a tender for the construction of 42 housing units in Kiryat Arba illegal settlement, according to Peace Now website.

This is the first tender issued in the settlements since November 2015 when a tender for 438 units in Ramat Shlomo in the occupied al-Quds (‘Jerusalem’) was issued.

Meanwhile, Iran has sharply condemned Israel’s decision to construct more illegal settler units in the occupied Palestinian lands, saying the regime’s expansionist policies make a mockery of international law.

On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said Tel Aviv’s decision to expand its illegal settlements is against international regulations and United Nations resolutions.

He further emphasized the need for an immediate end to Israel’s unlawful construction activities in the occupied territories, calling on international bodies to help reduce the sufferings of the oppressed Palestinian nation.

On July 3, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the minister of military affairs, Avigdor Liberman, approved plans to construct 800 new housing units for settlers in and around the occupied East al-Quds ('Jerusalem').

Around 570,000 Israelis live in more than 100 settlements built since the regime’s 1967 occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds.