The Supreme Planning Council of the Israeli Defense Ministry’s Civil Administration on Wednesday granted final approval for the construction of 764 housing units in Judea and Samaria.

Approval includes 478 homes in Hashmonaim—a town abutting the pre-1967 Green Line near Modi’in—along with 230 homes in Beitar Illit and 56 in Givat Ze’ev, two communities located just south and north of Jerusalem, respectively.

Final approval by the Supreme Planning Council clears the way for the plans’ official publication and the start of the building-permit process.

“We are continuing the revolution. The approval of 764 housing units by the Supreme Planning Council today is part of a clear strategic move to strengthen settlement, ensuring continuity of life, security and growth,” said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who oversees the Civil Administration in his additional role within the Defense Ministry.

“Since the start of our term, we have advanced approval for over 51,000 housing units. Zionism in action, connecting security, settlement and development, and genuine care for the State of Israel’s future,” he added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has led an unprecedented drive to expand control of Judea and Samaria, now having approved a total of 51,370 homes and 50 new communities since December 2022.

On Tuesday, the Binyamin Regional Council in Samaria announced the government’s “historic” official legalization of six former outposts.

Ahiya, Adei Ad and Nofei Prat received Israeli government approval in May, while Harasha, Migron and Shvut Rachel are neighborhoods of existing communities that were split off by a March 22 Cabinet decision.

All six are established towns, some dating to the early 90s, with hundreds of residents, and received retroactive authorization.

As of Jan. 1, 529,704 Jews lived in Judea and Samaria, amounting to approximately 5.28% of the Jewish state’s population.

Nearly 70% of Israelis want Jerusalem to extend full legal sovereignty over the disputed territory, according to a poll conducted early this year.

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