The Israeli settlement of Givat Zeev near the city of Ramallah, West Bank, September 25, 2019 (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The Civil Administration’s high planning committee gave final approval to nearly 2,800 units and initial endorsement for another 1,600, said Peace Now, an organization that closely monitors Israeli settlement building.  

Israel seized the West Bank and east Jerusalem in 1967. Since then, nearly 700,000 Israelis have moved into settlements that most of the international community regard as illegal.