Hamas Spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanou considered that Israeli occupation authorities' approval of the construction of 1,200 housing units in the "Kiryat Yuval" settlement in occupied Al-Quds is a new crime in the context of the ongoing aggression against Palestinian lands and holy sites.

In a press statement, Al-Qanou warned against the repercussions of the decision, as Palestinians will not remain silent amid the occupation's continued settlement incursions.

According to the Spokesperson, the housing units would be built this time on 30,000 square meters and will require the demolition of five old buildings, each of them consisting of eight floors, amid regional and international silence and inaction.

Arab League & international community responsible

Al-Qanou considered that the decision once again reveals the nature of the Israeli occupation mentality, and held the Arab League and the international community responsible for not criminalizing this act. 

He also called on the leadership of the Palestinian Authority to work on ending its security coordination with the Israeli occupation, to stop betting on the path of absurd negotiations, and to protect the Palestinian people through national resistance. 

Built on the lands of Palestinian village of Beit Mazmil 

The Israeli Planning and Building Council had approved the construction of 1,200 housing units in the "Kiryat Yuval" neighborhood, which was built on the lands of the abandoned village of Beit Mazmil in occupied Al-Quds.

The Israeli newspaper Kol Ha'er said "Israel" will build about 2,000 square meters of employment areas and about 28,000 square meters of public buildings.

According to the newspaper, the buildings will be used as synagogues, an elementary school, a high school, and 11 kindergartens, in addition to "social and community care" buildings.

It is noteworthy that the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories has presented a report to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), saying that the situation in "Israel" and the occupied territories is akin to apartheid.