Israel 'Plans to Surround al-Quds Old City'

A Palestinian official has warned that the Israeli regime was planning to encircle the Old City in Jerusalem (al-Quds) with settlements.

Fatah legislator Hatem Abdul-Qader said on Thursday that the plan was oppressive as more than 300 Palestinian houses would be demolished.

The majority of residents in the area are Palestinians and the walled compound in the Old City includes the al-Aqsa Mosque, considered as Islam's third holiest place.'

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China Joins Calls on Israel to Halt New Settlement Plan

China has joined international condemnation of an Israeli plan to build 1,600 homes on occupied Palestinian land in an East Jerusalem (al-Quds) settlement calling for a halt to the expansion scheme.

"We request the Israeli side to stop the establishment of new Jewish settlements and make concerted efforts and concrete actions to contribute to the resumption of peace talks," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang said on Thursday.

"This action will damage the basis for the negotiations between the two sides and undermine international mediation efforts," Gang added.'

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Israel Invites Tenders for Expanding Settlements

Israel has invited tenders for construction of more housing units in the occupied East Jerusalem Al-Quds, Israel's Channel 10 says.

The housing ministry has sought bids for building a total of 696 new homes in the settlements of Neve Yaacov, Pisgat Zeev and Har Homa, the channel said.

The expansion of Israeli settlements is considered the main hindrance to the resumption of peace talks.'

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Israel Excludes Al-Quds From Peace Plan

A published Israeli peace proposal and detailed map, has excluded the occupied Jerusalem Al-Quds from any negotiations with Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has excluded East Jerusalem Al-Quds and some other terms in the proposal which falls considerably short of Israel's previous commitments, AP reported.

The so-called peace plan had been initially proposed by former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert. According to the plan, Israel would annex all settlements surrounding Jerusalem Al-Quds and settlement blocs in the West Bank.'

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'Israel Plans to Grab More Arab Land'

Palestinian sources say Israel is working on a new settlement plan that is equal to the grab of nearly 140-thousand acres of Arab land near Jerusalem (al-Quds).

The new project focuses on the areas located around al-Quds by expanding the Maale Adumim settlement and connecting other settlements around the city.

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