Pakistan, July 14 -- Israel has signed an 8.5 billion-shekel ($2.3 billion) agreement to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank, including the construction of 12,000 new housing units. The plan also includes major infrastructure projects aimed at accelerating settlement growth across the territory. The move is expected to draw international criticism as concerns over the future of a two-state solution continue to grow.

The agreement was signed during an official ceremony attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Israel Land Authority Director General Yehuda Eliyahu, and Shomron Regional Council head Yossi Dagan. Israeli media described the initiative as a significant step that would reshape t...