Ankara: Israel began to build a new settlement in the West Bank amid military escalation in the occupied territory, a Palestinian official said on Tuesday. The Nahal Hilts settlement is being built on Palestinian land in the village of Battir in Bethlehem in the southern West Bank, said Moayad Shaaban, who heads the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission.

According to Anadolu Agency, Shaaban stated that Israel approved the construction of the new settlement in response to global recognition of the Palestinian state last year. This move came after Spain, Ireland, and Norway recognized the Palestinian state in May last year, which reportedly infuriated Tel Aviv.

Shaaban further explained that the new Israeli settlement effectively separates the Bethlehem area from Jerusalem. He mentioned that it is part of Israel's strategy for Greater Jerusalem, which he claims threatens the geographical continuity between the northern and southern West Bank.

The development of this settlement follows a declaration by the International Court of Justice in July 2024, which deemed Israel's occupation of Palestinian land illegal and demanded the evacuation of all existing settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The construction coincides with increased military activity by the Israeli army in Palestinian regions of the West Bank. More than 30 Palestinians have been killed and thousands displaced due to Israeli raids since January 21. The escalation comes in the wake of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal in Gaza on January 19, after over 15 months of Israeli bombardment that resulted in the deaths of nearly 48,200 Palestinians.

Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, the Health Ministry reports that Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 910 Palestinians across the occupied West Bank.