Israel edges towards its fourth election in two years after Knesset gave preliminary approval to a bill to dissolve itself amid a crisis in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s fractious coalition. Alternate PM Gantz earlier said he would back the bill.
The latest settlement plans have been submitted to Israel's Civil Administration with Defence Minister Benny Gantz' approval. More than 450,000 Israelis live in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, excluding those in annexed East Jerusalem.