Blinken: “We are working with countries in the region to develop a plan for the next day in the Gaza Strip. We are determined to end the conflict in the Middle East as quickly as possible.”

US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, said that Washington is upset and rejects Israel’s announcement of a plan to build 3,000 new units in the settlements.

He pointed out, "We are disappointed by Israel's announcement that it plans to build 3,000 new units in the settlements, and we reject that."

He also said, "We are working to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East that ends the cycle of violence forever," adding, "We are keen to release the hostages in Gaza as soon as possible and establish a humanitarian ceasefire."

Blinken continued, "We are working with countries in the region to develop a plan for the next day in the Gaza Strip. We are determined to end the conflict in the Middle East as quickly as possible."

Blinken's statements come as the Israeli government pushes a plan to build 3,344 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, under the pretext of "responding" to the shooting that took place east of Jerusalem yesterday, Thursday.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (“Kan 11”) reported on Thursday evening that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a session to discuss “pushing the construction of thousands of housing units in the ‘Maale Adumim’ settlement, in response to the shooting.”

The Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, the Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, and the Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, participated in the session. The government intends to invite the Supreme Planning Council to hold a session within the next two weeks, to approve the new construction.

The Israeli government decided to hold a session of the Supreme Planning Council to approve the construction of thousands of settlement units in “Maale Adumim” (2,350 settlement units), “Kedar” (300 units), and “Efrat” (694 units).