Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have unveiled plans to establish three new outposts in northern Gaza and allocate more than $400 million to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to The Guardian.
The moves come as national elections approach on October 27, with the coalition seeking to solidify territorial gains.
>>> Trump's Orwellian Speech on Election Integrity: A Threat to Democracy
Military briefings indicate that Israel now controls 65% of the Gaza Strip, surpassing the 53% threshold set under a previous ceasefire deal brokered by former US President Donald Trump.
Israeli military commanders have openly collaborated with regional outpost leaders during these developments.
Maj Gen Avi Bluth, Commander of Israeli forces in the West Bank, praised their work at a meeting of the Farms Association, which represents outposts illegal under Israeli law.
International organizations have condemned the escalating actions. “Settler violence is state violence,” said the United Nations Human Rights Office for Palestine.
Activists report that construction machinery is preparing multiple settlement sites before the vote.
“The government is on a reckless pre-election sprint to raid the public purse in order to create facts on the ground,” said Hagit Ofran of Peace Now.
Defense Minister Katz outlined the strategic nature of the upcoming Gaza outposts during a recent visit, noting they would be placed in areas that formerly held Israeli settlements.
>>> US Republicans Threaten Canada With Sanctions Over Wildfire Smoke
“I intend to establish three Nahal outposts, which is also a military entity, in those places that were [Israeli settlements] in northern Gaza,” Katz said.
