Jerusalem and Ramallah, Dec. 21 (Petra) -- Israel’s security and political cabinet approved the establishment of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to Israeli media reports on Sunday.

Channel 14 reported that the decision followed a proposal submitted by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Minister within the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich.

The move includes reestablishing settlements evacuated in northern West Bank areas in 2005, among them Ganim and Kadim, in addition to legalizing several settlement outposts and establishing new settlements in multiple locations.

In Ramallah, the cabinet approved the establishment and legalization of six settlements: Keida, Esh Kodesh, Givat Harel, Mishuaal, Kochav Hashahar North, and Nof Gilad.

In northern parts of the West Bank, the decision includes converting outposts into settlements and building new ones, including Ganim, Kadim, Shilam, Har Bazak, Reihanit, Rosh HaAyin Mizrah, and Tamun.

In the Bethlehem area, the cabinet approved three settlements within the Gush Etzion bloc: Pnei Kedem, Yitzif, and Ya’ar HaKeren. The plan also includes settlements in the Jordan Valley, among them Nabi Wateef Mizrah, as well as the Nahal Doran settlement south of Hebron.

In a related development, Israeli occupation forces launched a wide campaign of raids and arrests across various parts of the occupied West Bank, storming and searching homes, vandalizing property, interrogating residents, and detaining some for hours.

The Palestinian Prisoners Society said heavily armed Israeli forces raided areas in Bethlehem, Hebron, Tulkarm, Ramallah, al-Bireh, Jenin, and Nablus, arresting 19 Palestinians on allegations that they were wanted by occupation authorities.

In occupied Jerusalem, dozens of Israeli settlers stormed the courtyards of the al-Aqsa Mosque through the Magharibah Gate under heavy protection from Israeli occupation police.

The Jerusalem Islamic Awqaf Department said settlers conducted provocative tours inside the compound, performed Talmudic rituals in the eastern area of the Mosque, and received briefings about the so-called Temple.

It added that occupation forces tightened measures at the mosque’s gates, restricted access for worshippers and Jerusalem residents, confiscated identity cards, and barred them from passing through routes used during settlers’ incursions.

//Petra// AO