![A Jewish settlement can be seen in Jerusalem [Mahfouz Abu Turk/Apaimages]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/jewish-settlementMU_JE_00-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The Israeli Planning and Construction Committee has approved the building of 20 new housing units in the settlement of Matzad built on private Palestinian land, southeast of the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, Israeli Haaretz newspaper reported Sunday.
According to the paper, the Israeli government approved the construction as part of the current government’s plan to expand the settlements east of Bethlehem.
Last month, the government approved the construction of 500 new housing units in the Eldad settlement east of Bethlehem city.
Read: Israel committee urges speedier ‘legalisation’ of dozens of settlement outposts