Israel eyes West Bank expansion

JERUSALEM, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Israel is reportedly planning mass expansion in the West Bank with thousands of new housing units despite a commitment not to expand, a government agency says.

The Civil Administration, an Israeli agency handling non-military matters in the West Bank, has worked up the plan for the big move east of the Green Line, Haaertz reports. It doesn't yet have government approval, officials say.

The proposal involves initial construction of 550 apartments in Gva'ot, located near Alon Shvut in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc, followed by construction of another 4,450 units at a later stage.

At present, Gva'ot is inhabited by 12 families. The neighboring settlement of Bat Ayin, which has about 120 families, is to receive another 2,000 apartments, according to the plan.

Future plans also are reported in the works for Rimonim, Einav. Mevo Dotan and other areas.