More than 3,500 housing units are currently being built in West Bank settlements, compared to 4,144 units that were being built at the same time last year, according to Peace Now's bi-annual report.

In addition, the construction of two roads - the Tekoa-Jerusalem road and the Ma'aleh Adumim-Jericho road (in the section east of Kfar Adumim) - has recently been resumed.

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Not long ago, the GOC Central Command signed an order expanding the jurisdiction of four settlements: Givat Ze'ev, Oranit, Beitar Ilit and Maskiot.

The construction is taking place mainly in the settlement blocs of Beitar Ilit, Ma'aleh Adumim, Modi'in Ilit and Alfei Menashe.

As many as 31 unauthorized outposts are being expanded, Peace Now reports. The work includes adding mobile homes and preparing the groundwork for new roads and for construction.

Peace Now secretary-general Yariv Oppenheimer said that while the public's attention was focused on the fighting in the north, "the settlers continued expanding the outposts and building in them."