Israeli settlers establish new outpost in West Bank

Israeli settlers established a new illegal outpost northwest of the town of Bruqin near the occupied West Bank city of Salfit on Thursday, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported, citing a local researcher.

Raed Mauqadi said settlers began groundwork for the outpost south of bypass Road 60, around 100 metres from schools and about 50 metres from nearby homes, according to the report.

He said the outpost's location posed a direct threat to residents and students, particularly 13 families living in the area, and described the move as part of intensified settlement expansion on the town's land.

Mauqadi said Road 60 connects the Bruchin and Beduel settlements, both built on land belonging to Bruqin.

Around 1 million Israeli settlers live in settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.