Israel moves ahead with over 970 new homes in Efrat, deepening conflict with Palestine

Israel has issued a tender for the construction of nearly 1,000 new homes in the West Bank, marking a significant expansion of the Efrat settlement.

According to the anti-settlement group Peace Now, the project will involve the construction of 974 housing units, allowing Efrat’s population to grow by 40%. It will also further restrict the development of the nearby Palestinian city of Bethlehem, Caliber.Az reports.

The land area of Efrat will be increased by 644 dunams (approximately 160 acres), expanding its footprint by roughly 10%. While the project was approved last year, construction cannot commence until the contracting process is completed and permits are issued, which may take at least another year.

Peace Now has been vocal in its opposition to settlement expansion, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of pushing forward with such projects despite the ongoing crisis stemming from the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas.

The group condemned the government's actions as a move to “establish facts on the ground” that undermine the possibility of a future peace agreement and the two-state solution. The attack, which led to the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages, has sparked an ongoing conflict and a complex ceasefire process aimed at securing hostages' release.

Last year, the Civil Administration’s High Planning Subcommittee approved the construction of 3,500 settlement homes across the West Bank, including 694 in Efrat, along with plans for an additional 280 assisted-living units. The settlement of Efrat is strategically situated in a region that would be essential for a future Palestinian state, according to Peace Now.

Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War. While Israel has annexed East Jerusalem and considers it part of its unified capital, Palestinians view the settlements as a significant barrier to peace.

Despite international condemnation, the expansion of settlements has continued, with the US under President Donald Trump providing unprecedented support for these developments.

By Aghakazim Guliyev