Hamas has called on Palestinians to resist Israel’s newly approved settlement expansion plan in the occupied West Bank, according to Al Jazeera. Hamas official Abdul Rahman Shadid urged residents to strengthen their presence in areas targeted for settlement construction to prevent forced displacement by Israeli authorities. He stated that settler violence would not break the morale of Palestinians or drive them from their land.

Shadid emphasized that steadfastness and resistance are the most effective ways to confront Israeli occupation and settlement policies. He also called for greater national unity and public mobilization under the current circumstances. The statement came as tensions continue over Israel’s settlement activities in the occupied territories.

Meanwhile, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that the country’s security cabinet had approved a budget allocation of 1.3 billion shekels (about 434 million dollars) to establish 34 new settlements in the West Bank.