Israel’s government has approved 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied-West Bank, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has said, a move that could deepen divisions with some allies, who have threatened sanctions over further expansion, Reuters reports.

Far-right Smotrich, an advocate for Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, wrote on X that the new settlements would be located in the northern area of the West Bank, without specifying where.

Israeli media cited the Defence Ministry as saying that among the new Jewish settlements, existing “outposts” would be legalised and new settlements would also be built.

Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri condemned the announcement and called on the United States and the European Union to take action.

“The announcement of the building of 22 new settlements in the West Bank is part of the war led by Netanyahu against the Palestinian people,” Abu Zuhri told Reuters.