Israel began building 1,800 houses in West Bank Jewish settlements in 2015: report

An Israeli settlement watchdog said Sunday that Israel began constructing 1,800 buildings as Jewish settlements in the West Bank in 2015, mainly in the most controversial areas of the so-called "isolated settlements."

According to a report released by Peace Now, a dovish organization, 69 percent of the building took place in isolated settlements in areas which Israel would most likely evacuate in the event of a future peace deal with Palestinians.

Furthermore, preparations for at least another 734 housing units were completed and construction is to begin soon.

Some 265 housing units were built in "illegal outposts," which is an Israeli term used to describe unauthorized settlement construction by Israel.

However, under international law, all settlements are illegal.

"Despite government declarations of a 'freeze' on construction, building on the ground continues full force," said Peace Now.

Since 2009, Israel's government has "built apartments for about 40,000 new settlers who may need to be evacuated in case of a permanent status agreement," read the report.

The report also warned that Israel is creating "ground obstacles" rendering "future peace agreements much more difficult to achieve."

The report comes as Israel struggles to curb a five-month-long surge of violent Palestinian unrest, so far claiming the lives of at least 165 Palestinians and 26 Israelis.

Israel accuses the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) of "inciting" the violence, whereas Palestinians declare it is the outcome of 49 years of Israeli control over their lands.

Israel seized the West Bank and the Gaza Strip during the 1967 Mideast War, and later annexed East Jerusalem, in a move unacknowledged by the international community.

The West Bank settlements are illegal under international law and are opposed by the international community that considers the construction undermines prospects of establishing a two-state solution. Endit