Israel has passed the final approval stage to commence the construction of a controversial settlement project near Jerusalem that will effectively divide the occupied West Bank, as indicated by a government tender. The tender, inviting bids from developers, paves the way for the initiation of the E1 project. Peace Now, an anti-settlement monitoring group, was the first to report on the tender, with Yoni Mizrahi, who heads the group’s settlement watch division, mentioning that preliminary work may start within the next month.
The development of settlements in E1, a vast area of land east of Jerusalem, has been under consideration for over twenty years but was previously put on hold due to U.S. pressure during past administrations. The majority of the international community views Israeli settlement construction in the occupied West Bank as illegal and a hindrance to peace efforts.
The E1 project is highly disputed as it stretches from the outskirts of Jerusalem deep into the occupied West Bank, with critics arguing that it would obstruct the establishment of a continuous Palestinian state in the region. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right politician overseeing settlement policies, has long advocated for the realization of this plan, emphasizing that each settlement and housing unit further diminishes the concept of a Palestinian state.
The public tender, accessible on Israel’s Land Authority website, calls for proposals for the development of 3,401 housing units. Peace Now asserts that the release of the tender showcases an increased effort to expedite construction in E1.
In a separate development, Syrian and Israeli officials met in Paris for U.S.-mediated discussions aimed at brokering a security agreement to ease tensions between the two nations. A joint statement following the meeting highlighted a focus on respecting Syria’s sovereignty and stability, ensuring Israel’s security, and promoting prosperity for both countries. The parties agreed to establish a joint communication cell to facilitate immediate coordination on intelligence sharing, military de-escalation, diplomatic engagement, and commercial opportunities under U.S. supervision.
Furthermore, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office emphasized the importance of safeguarding its citizens’ security, preventing border threats, and protecting the Druze minority in Syria. Israeli forces have engaged in multiple airstrikes on Syrian military installations and occasional incursions into villages beyond the buffer zone set up under a 1974 disengagement agreement, leading to confrontations with residents.
Lastly, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported that 11 individuals sustained injuries during an Israeli incursion at a university in the West Bank. Israeli officials stated that military and border troops were dispatched to disperse an expected gathering but encountered a large crowd, with some individuals reportedly hurling rocks from rooftops, leading to targeted fire at the main agitators.