News|Israel-Palestine conflictIsrael to advance plans for 9,000 houses in occupied East JerusalemIsraeli authorities are engaged in multiple major efforts, including building settlements and pursuing annexation, to ensure there will be no Palestinian state in the future.

Israeli authorities are advancing plans to construct 9,000 housing units in a new settlement located at the former Qalandiya airport site in East Jerusalem. This initiative, referred to as the Atarot neighborhood, is under review by the District Planning and Building Committee. The plan involves creating an Israeli enclave within densely populated Palestinian urban areas, affecting regions from Ramallah to Beit Hanina.

The proposed development is situated in an area with a significant Palestinian population. The construction aims to establish a new Israeli settlement in this region, which could potentially hinder the development of a contiguous Palestinian state. The plan has faced opposition from various groups and requires further consideration and approval from multiple government bodies before implementation.

The plan was initially proposed in early 2020 by Israel's Housing Ministry and has since undergone several bureaucratic processes. Despite objections from environmental and health authorities, most of the land for the project is classified as "state land," reducing the need for permission from Palestinian landowners. Further government approval is necessary before moving to the tender phase for construction contractors.

Demolitions and Arrests in the West Bank

Israeli forces have been conducting operations in the West Bank, including demolitions in Biddu due to alleged permit violations. Additionally, settlers have engaged in violent activities, such as arson and vandalism, in areas like Ein Yabrud. Several Palestinians have been arrested during these operations, and there are plans to demolish 25 residential buildings in the Nur Shams refugee camp.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.