Israel's security cabinet has approved 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, a decision made on April 1 that has alarmed Palestinians fearing further land confiscation. The anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now reported that this move adds to 68 settlements already sanctioned since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government took power in 2022. Many of these settlements are illegal under international law, and the decision has not been officially confirmed by Israeli authorities. Residents of Palestinian villages, such as Deir Ammar, express deep concern that these settlements will lead to more land grabs and increased violence from settlers. The situation is exacerbated by ongoing tensions following the Gaza war that began in October 2023. Rights groups indicate that the expansion of settlements and associated violence has intensified during this period, further complicating the already fraught Israeli-Palestinian relations.