Israel captured the West Bank, along with Gaza and east Jerusalem, in the 1967 Mideast war and the Palestinians want all three territories for their future state.

Israel announced on Thursday the creation of 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, risking further strain on relations with the international community already taxed by the war in the Gaza Strip.

Israel said the newly announced settlements​ in the occupied West Bank would include the legalization of outposts already built without government authorization.