EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement that the Israeli government’s announcement to build an additional 3,000 settlement units, including units deep inside the West Bank, following the announcement on 24 January of the construction of 2,500 units and the approval of building permits for 566 settlement units in East Jerusalem on 22 January, “marks a very worrying trend, posing a direct challenge to the prospects of a viable two-state solution, which is increasingly difficult and risks becoming impossible.”

On Wednesday, the Israeli Defence Ministry approved the construction of 3,000 housing units in the West Bank, with the permission of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

In a statement, Lieberman said: “We are in a new period in which life in Judea and Samaria (West Bank are back on track.”

Some of the approved new housing are located in larger settlement blocs which Israel envisages remaining under its sovereignty in any future peace deal with the Palestinians.

In her statement, Mogherini stressed that the EU is “strongly opposed to this policy and deeply regrets that Israel is proceeding with this, despite the continuous serious international concern and objections, which have been constantly raised at all levels.”

“Continued settlement expansion, illegal under international law as reaffirmed by UN Security Council Resolution 2334, goes directly against long-standing EU policy and the recommendations of the Quartet Report. A negotiated two-state solution is the only way to fulfil the legitimate aspirations of both parties and to achieve enduring peace,” Mogherni said in her statement.

In Paris, a French foreign ministry spokesman said France ‘’firmly condemns the Israeli government’s decision. The spokesman reiterated the country’s stance that settlement construction’’is contrary to international law and notably United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, and that it seriously compromises the prospects of a fair and lasting peace.’’

In the meantime, residents of the West Bank outpost of Amona were given 48 hours to leave their homes by military order, ahead of the evacuation which took place Thursday morning.

Some 3,000 Israeli police and Border Police officers were reportedly set to remove around 40 families from their homes.

In December, the High Court granted “last, final extension” to evacuate Amona’s residents by 8 February. The court has already ruled that the outpost was built illegally on private Palestinian land and must be evacuated.

Following the 8 February deadline decision, an agreement was reached between the government and residents, to relocate many of them to an adjacent plot known as “Parcel 38”.