Egypt on Thursday strongly condemned Israel's plan to build 3,400 new housing units in the occupied West Bank, calling it a clear breach of international law and a serious threat to regional stability. The condemnation followed an announcement by Israel's finance minister approving the expansion near occupied East Jerusalem. Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the move reflects a continued effort by the Israeli government to expand settlements, seize Palestinian land, and alter the demographic composition of the territories it occupies. "The Israeli government's actions and inflammatory rhetoric only fuel hatred, extremism, and violence," the ministry said in a statement, denouncing what it described as "extremist remarks" by Israeli officials advocating sovereignty and further expansion in the West Bank. Egypt warned again against what it called "delusional notions" of eliminating the Palestinian cause or implementing a so-called "Greater Israel" project, stressing that such ambitions are unacceptable and destined to fail. Cairo reiterated that Israel's settlement policy undermines regional and international efforts to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East. It reaffirmed its rejection of any attempts to resolve the Palestinian issue through forced displacement, land confiscation, or unilateral measures. The statement concluded with a renewed call for the implementation of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, in line with international law and UN resolutions. Egypt warned that Israel's continued rejection of the peace path remains a key driver of instability in the region. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
