OIC Condemns Israeli Efforts to Build New Settlements in Jordan Valley

Residents of Khirbet Humsa in the Jordan Valley watch the demolition of their home by Israeli forces in February 2021. (AP)
Residents of Khirbet Humsa in the Jordan Valley watch the demolition of their home by Israeli forces in February 2021. (AP)
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OIC Condemns Israeli Efforts to Build New Settlements in Jordan Valley

Residents of Khirbet Humsa in the Jordan Valley watch the demolition of their home by Israeli forces in February 2021. (AP)
Residents of Khirbet Humsa in the Jordan Valley watch the demolition of their home by Israeli forces in February 2021. (AP)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Sunday condemned the Israeli occupation authorities’ approval of new plans to build 730 new housing units in the town of Beit Hanina, north of occupied Jerusalem.

“This decision is a continuation of Israel’s blatant violations of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, particularly Resolution 2334, adopted by the Security Council on 23 December 2016,” OIC said in a statement.

The Organization called on the international community, mainly the UN Security Council, to assume its responsibilities and compel Israel, the occupying power, to stop its colonial settlement policy and the attacks carried out by extremist settlers throughout the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem.

The Israeli District Planning and Building Committee has approved a plan to build 730 new housing units in the Pisgat Zeev settlement, which is built illegally on land belonging to Palestinian residents in Beit Hanina
Israeli news outlets said the plan in the settlement of Basgat Ze’ev is located on a total area of about 70 dunums, and includes about 730 settlement units to be built in 14 residential buildings up to 12 floors high.

They added that in addition to the construction of settlement units, the plan also includes 21,000 square meters for trade and employment, and about 16 dunums will be allocated to open spaces.

Recently, Israeli authorities have increased their plans to build settlement units in the occupied territories.

The Palestinians reject these moves, which they say aim at undermining any chances for a resolution of the conflict based on the principles of the two-state solution.

Israeli settlers on Sunday began building new housing units in the northern Jordan Valley, WAFA news agency said.

It quoted human rights activist Aref Daraghmeh as saying that settlers have started building settlement units in the illegal Israeli settlement of Shadmot Mehola, which means devouring more Palestinian-owned lands.

Shadmot Mehola is one of the settlements located in the northern Jordan Valley. It was established in 1979 as an agricultural settlement. The number of settlers in 2016 reached about 608, and in 2018, its total area reached 363 dunums of Palestinian citizens' lands in the Jordan Valley.

Also, Israeli settlers built a shelter in the lands of Khirbet Al-Farisiyah in the northern Jordan Valley, WAFA said.

Daraghmeh said the settlers set up a shelter in the lands between the settlements of Rotem and Shadmot Mehola, which are built on lands belonging to citizens in Al-Farsieh in the northern Jordan Valley.



Lebanon Sends Message of Confidence with First Local Elections

A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Lebanon Sends Message of Confidence with First Local Elections

A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanon completed the first phase of its municipal and mayoral elections on Sunday, in a vote overseen by political and security authorities and hailed by officials as transparent.

The polls mark the country’s first electoral process under President Joseph Aoun, who sought to reassure voters that “the state is serious about safeguarding their right to express their views through the ballot box.”

Aoun described the vote’s integrity as a “message of trust to the world that Lebanon is beginning to recover, rebuild its institutions, and is now on the right track.”

Sunday’s vote covered Mount Lebanon province, the most populous region in the country.

The area includes a mix of religious and political affiliations, including Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold heavily damaged during Israel’s bombardment in the latest war on Lebanon.

Aoun made a field visit on Sunday to oversee Lebanon’s first municipal and mayoral elections since 2016, following years of delays caused by the country’s prolonged political and economic crises.

The president began his tour at the Ministry of Interior, where he met with Interior Minister Ahmed Al-Hajjar and Justice Minister Adel Nassar. The discussions focused on measures in place to safeguard the electoral process from any security or legal disruptions.

Both ministers assured the president of their full preparedness to address any challenges that may arise during the first phase of the vote, held in Mount Lebanon province.

Speaking to staff in the central operations room, Aoun called for “active and serious efforts” to ensure a smooth electoral process and to reassure citizens that the state is committed to protecting their right to vote freely.

He also urged voters to participate in large numbers and resist pressures based on sectarian, political or financial influences. “Do not let sectarian, partisan, or monetary factors sway your choice,” Aoun said.

Local elections were held across the districts of Jbeil, Keserwan, Metn, Aley, Baabda, and Chouf - areas where family and clan loyalties often outweigh political or sectarian affiliations in Lebanon’s complex electoral landscape.

As of late afternoon, with three hours remaining before polls closed, the Interior Ministry reported varying voter turnout rates across Mount Lebanon province.

Keserwan led with more than 53% turnout, followed by Jbeil nearing 50%. Aley registered 36.66%, Chouf 38%, Baabda 33.11%, and Northern Metn around 33%.