Ten families have recently settled in a new neighbourhood near the Israeli settlement of Kiryat Arba in the occupied West Bank, Al Jazeera reports, citing the Israel Hayom newspaper.

The new neighbourhood, called Aviad, marks the first Israeli expansion in the Kiryat Arba area in decades.

The Kiryat Arba Council said the settlement aims to “sever the geographical connection between Palestinian lands from Hebron to the Negev Desert and strengthen the connection” between Israeli settlements in the area.

All Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law.

Opinion

Editorial

Delicate balance
Updated 13 Mar, 2026

Delicate balance

PAKISTAN has to maintain a delicate balance where the geopolitics of the US-Israeli aggression against Iran are...
Soaring costs
13 Mar, 2026

Soaring costs

FOR millions of households already grappling with Ramazan inflation, the sharp increase in petrol and diesel prices...
Perilous lines
13 Mar, 2026

Perilous lines

THE law minister’s veiled warning to the media to “exercise caution” and not cross “red lines” while...
Collective security
Updated 12 Mar, 2026

Collective security

Regional states need to sit down and talk. They must also pledge and work towards collective security.
Spectrum leap
12 Mar, 2026

Spectrum leap

THE sale of 480 MHz of fifth-generation telecom spectrum for $507m is a major milestone in Pakistan’s digital...
Toxic fallout
12 Mar, 2026

Toxic fallout

WARS can leave environmental scars that remain long after the fighting is over. The strikes on Iran’s oil...