Israel has approved the construction of more than 1,300 new housing units in the East al-Quds (Jerusalem), in line with Tel Aviv’s illegal settlement projects.

"There are three new plans which have been published for public review," settlement watchdog Peace Now spokeswoman Hagit Ofran told AFP on Monday.

She added that the plans include 983 new housing units in one area of Har Homa with another 42 to be built elsewhere in the neighborhood.

The plans also detail another 320 units which are to be built in the northern Ramot neighborhood, according to Peace Now.

"This is a new stage in Har Homa which really extends it," Ofran said. "It is a big provocation."

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in the United States to hold talks with American officials over the direct talks between Tel Aviv and the Palestinian Authority.

The September negotiations were stalled after Israel refused to extend the partial 10-month moratorium on its settlement activities, which ended late September.

Acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas has announced that he will not return to the talks unless Tel Aviv freezes settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Palestinians say that settlement construction is aimed at preventing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Israel occupied al-Quds in the 1967 war — a move not recognized by the international community and the United Nations.

(Press TV)