The Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed a new Israeli settlement plan to expand settlements next to a road linking the cities of Qalqilya and Nablus. The plan is named ‘Route 55’. The land is slated for the construction of 5,650 new apartments in the next few years. The newspaper reported that the objections submitted by Palestinians were rejected after the Higher Planning Committee refused to issue new plans for Palestinian nurseries, arguing that this was not under its purview.  The newspaper indicated that the approval of the expansion would soon be ratified. For further details, click here