After more countries recognized a Palestinian state this week, President Trump said on Thursday that he would not permit Israel to take over the territory.
Even before the war in Gaza, negotiations failed to produce peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Israeli officials said the attack at the crowded bus stop on Monday spurred, in part, the decision to launch Tuesday’s targeted strikes against Hamas leaders in Qatar.
Bezalel Smotrich said Israel should take over most of the territory, partly in response to growing international moves to recognize a Palestinian state.
Israel’s approval of a settlement project delayed for decades shows how far Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone in dashing Palestinian aspirations.
The long-stalled project near Jerusalem, known as E1, further fragments West Bank lands envisioned as part of a Palestinian state, advancing a goal of Israeli hard-liners.
The long-stalled project near Jerusalem, known as E1, further fragments West Bank lands envisioned as part of a Palestinian state, advancing a goal of Israeli hard-liners.
Israel approved new settlements in the occupied West Bank, while its troops have reached the outskirts of Gaza City. The developments raise questions about the viability of a cease-fire proposal.
Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister, said on Thursday that a plan to significantly expand a settlement near occupied East Jerusalem had won approval. But a procedural step remained.