A new Israeli settlement neighborhood has been established near the illegal Kiryat Arba settlement on the outskirts of al-Khalil in the occupied West Bank, marking the first such expansion in decades.

According to Israel Hayom, the neighborhood, named Aviad, was constructed near the Beni Naim junction, south of al-Khalil, with 10 settler families moving in over recent days. The new settlement outpost occupies a key location along the road connecting al-Khalil to other illegal settlements in the south.

The Kiryat Arba settlement council stated that the neighborhood is intended to "sever the geographical connection between Palestinian lands from Hebron to the Negev Desert" and to reinforce the connection between the illegal settlements of Kiryat Arba and Ma'ale Hever. Council Chairman Yisrael Bramson described the development as "a historic step that brings to life a vision that has continued for generations."

The announcement of the new neighborhood comes as the Israeli Security Cabinet convenes to discuss punitive measures against Palestinians, including potential West Bank annexation plans, in response to moves by some Western countries to recognize the State of Palestine in September.

All Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law, particularly under the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying power from transferring its civilian population into the territory it occupies. The establishment of Aviad is expected to further escalate tensions on the ground and deepen concerns over the systematic fragmentation of Palestinian land in the West Bank.

On a related note, earlier this month, illegal Israeli settlers established a new settlement outpost in the northern occupied West Bank, local sources reported on August 18. According to the al-Baydar Organization for the Defense of Bedouin Rights, bulldozing work began at the new site near the Shakara Bedouin community east of Duma town, south of Nablus. The outpost was set up on Friday, just 400 meters from the Bedouin community.

Smotrich approves settlement plans to 'bury the Palestinian state'

That mentioned, "Israel's" Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich approved on August 14 the advancement of the E1 settlement plan, a long-stalled construction project that would effectively sever east occupied al-Quds from the rest of the occupied West Bank.

"The plan will bury the idea of a Palestinian state," Smotrich stated, describing it as the "final nail in the coffin" for Palestinian statehood.

According to Smotrich, the plans have been advanced with complete coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and "our friends in the United States," adding, "The US administration completely supports our steps in the West Bank."

The plan reportedly includes the construction of 3,401 housing units in Ma'aleh Adumim, an illegal settlement located in the occupied West Bank. Additionally, the area, known as E1, is considered strategically vital by both Israeli authorities and Palestinians.

"From the Palestinian perspective and that of the international community, this is a critical area. Without it, the establishment of a Palestinian state with East al-Quds as its capital is simply impossible," Smotrich said.