Israel Announces Plans To Build Around 1,300 New Homes In West Bank

Israel published tenders for about 1,300 new settlement homes in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, angering Palestinian groups.

Israel authorities are also expected to discuss additional construction plans later in the week.

The Israel Land Authority posted the tenders for new houses to be built in a number of settlements in the West Bank, which are on land that Palestinians want for a future state.

The West Bank-based Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement the new settlement plans could have a "catastrophic impact on chances to make peace on the basis of the two-state solution and on regional, U.S, and international efforts to build confidence between the Israeli and Palestinian sides."

Most countries regard Israel's West Bank settlements as illegal.

Separately, an Israeli government planning committee is expected to discuss in the coming week proposals for about 3,000 new settlement housing units. That plan has already drawn concern from the United States, and a State Department spokesman said such steps may raise tensions and hurt efforts to reach a peace deal.

U.S.-backed peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down in 2014.