Smotrich’s settlement plans come as the international spotlight on Israel intensifies, with growing calls for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war amid mass concerns over the ongoing malnutrition crisis in Gaza and backlash over Netanyahu’s plan to fully occupy the Gaza Strip.

Israel Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich boasted that the construction could thwart Palestinian statehood plans

A far-right Israeli minister has backed controversial settlement plans in order to ensure there is “nothing left to recognise” of a Palestinian state.