Netanyahu to press ahead with settlements

JERUSALEM, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- A close ally of Israeli leader Binyamin Netanyahu says the prime minister will go ahead with plans to build new West Bank Jewish settlement housing.

Transport Minister Yisrael Katz told Israel Radio Sunday that despite strong opposition from the United States, Netanyahu is still planning to lay out the details of adding up to 700 apartments in the West Bank within days, the BBC reported.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Netanyahu will agree to a temporary and conditional settlement halt after going ahead with the new apartments, of which Katz reportedly said, "We are not speaking about a freeze," but rather an "easing" of construction.

The Post said Netanyahu's position is supported by fellow Likud ministers Moshe Kahlon, Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told the BBC that Israel's moves to press ahead with new settlements showed that U.S. President Barack Obama has failed in his mediation efforts.