Despite global opposition to Israel’s settlement projects, Tel Aviv has invited tenders to build 238 new settlement units in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved building of the new units in Pisgat Zeev and Ramot late on Thursday, Israeli media reported on Friday.

The move comes as the United States has failed to pressure Israel to extend its partial freeze on settlement activities in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem).

The expiry of 10-month halt, which ended last month, has thrown the US-sponsored direct talks between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israel into a deadlock.

Israel resumed expansion of its occupation through settlement construction just hours after the expiry of the freeze.

Acting PA Chief Mahmoud Abbas has repeatedly called on Tel Aviv to help the continuation of the negotiations with the moratorium extension.

The latest round of the direct talks, which were re-launched on September 2 in Washington, ended without any progress.

(Press TV)