Israel approves over $400m to fund 34 settlements in occupied West Bank

Israel's government has greenlit a massive $434 million budget to fund 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that's likely to intensify international criticism, especially from the United States. This decision, made by the security cabinet in June and only recently disclosed, underscores ongoing tensions and the broader conflict's complexity. The approval could further strain Israel-US relations and exacerbate the plight of Palestinians in the region, highlighting the ongoing struggle over land and sovereignty.