Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the creation of new settler outposts in the occupied West Bank. The decision came on Friday as a response to a violent confrontation that left two Israelis and four Palestinians dead.
The new outposts are to be established in areas of the West Bank that Israel has controlled since 1967. International law considers Israeli settlements in occupied territories illegal, though Israel disputes this.
The deadly clash that prompted the order occurred earlier this week. Details of the confrontation remain unclear, but it resulted in casualties on both sides. The violence has heightened tensions in the region.
Netanyahu's office stated that the move aims to strengthen Israeli presence in the area. Critics argue that expanding settlements undermines peace efforts and fuels further conflict.
The West Bank is home to hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers living among millions of Palestinians. The international community largely views settlements as an obstacle to a two-state solution.
The order is expected to face opposition both domestically and internationally. The United Nations and several countries have repeatedly called on Israel to halt settlement expansion.