The Israeli government has approved the establishment of 22 new settlements in the West Bank, as part of a joint initiative by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the two ministries announced in a joint statement on Thursday, reports The Jerusalem Post.

The decision includes plans to renew settlement activity in northern Samaria and develop new communities along the Jordan Valley border.

The plan is intended to expand settlement infrastructure and strengthen Israel’s strategic position across the region.

The plan includes the return of residential activity to previously evacuated areas and the creation of four new settlements along the eastern border near Jordan.