Jewish settlers, backed by the Israeli army, have erected seven new illegal outposts within the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem in a span of less than 48 hours. These developments raise concerns over the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in violation of international law.

On Thursday, settlers established a fresh settlement outpost on privately owned Palestinian land near the village of Arab al-Ka'abneh in Occupied Jerusalem. Additionally, with the support of the Israeli army, another illegal outpost was established on private Palestinian land near the village of Lubban ash-Sharqiya, located along the highway between Ramallah and Nablus. Furthermore, a separate group of settlers initiated a new outpost in the village of Umm Safa, northwest of Ramallah.

These recent actions follow the approval by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to construct 1,000 new homes in the illegal settlement of Eli, further exacerbating tensions and impeding the prospects of lasting peace.

Earlier this week, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel to immediately halt all settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territory. He emphasized that Israel's advancement of settlement construction only escalates tensions and violence, serving as a significant obstacle to achieving a just and sustainable peace.