Israel to approve housing projects in Negev

Israel is due to approve a plan to build new housing projects in the southern Negev desert region, Yedioth Ahronoth reported today according to the Palestinian Information Centre.

According to the Israeli newspaper, housing for 2,200 Israeli families will be built within the area of the Ramat HaNegev regional council, which is near the Egyptian border.

While a city is due to be built to house ultra-Orthodox Jewish families (Haredim) in Arad area, northeast of Beersheba.

The Haredi city will include more than 20,000 housing units and accommodate at least 100,000 settlers. It will include a medical centre, shops and religious schools.

READ: Israel demolishes Arab village in Negev for 198th times

The construction of this city will start in a few months if the plan receives approval from the government, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.

Israeli Construction and Housing Minister Zeev Elkin and Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked will present the plan to the government on Sunday.

Shaked claimed this plan aims to provide homes at low prices and solve the housing problem.

Israel is trying to steal more Palestinian land in the Negev – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/Middle East Monitor]