Israel pushes ahead with plans for 3,500 settler homes

The Israeli government has announced plans to build 3,500 settler homes in the occupied West Bank, following an attack by Palestinian gunmen. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had previously pledged to expand settlements in response to the attack. The move also came as Israel is engaged in a war with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip since the Islamist group's deadly attack on southern Israeli communities on October 7.