Israel has posted a government tender that paves the way for construction of the disputed E1 settlement east of Jerusalem, inviting proposals for 3,401 housing units — a move critics say could effectively split the West Bank. Peace Now warned initial work could begin within a month. Separately, U.S.-brokered talks in Paris produced agreement on a joint Israel–Syria communication cell, the U.N. reported adequate food stocks in Gaza for the first time since Oct. 2023, and an Israeli raid at Birzeit University left 11 people injured.
Israel Clears Final Hurdle For Controversial E1 Settlement Project That Could Split The West Bank
FILE - Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich holds a map that shows the E1 settlement project during a press conference near the settlement of Maale Adumim, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Israel has posted a government tender that removes the last formal obstacle to beginning construction on the disputed E1 settlement plan east of Jerusalem, a move critics warn could effectively divide the West Bank, according to the tender published online.
The tender invites developers to submit bids to build 3,401 housing units in the E1 area. The anti-settlement monitoring group Peace Now first flagged the notice; Yoni Mizrahi, who leads the group’s settlement-watch unit, said initial work could begin within a month after the tender’s publication.
A Controversial Project
E1 is an open tract of land immediately east of Jerusalem that has been under consideration for more than two decades but had long been frozen amid pressure from previous U.S. administrations. The international community overwhelmingly regards Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank as illegal under international law and as a major impediment to a negotiated two-state solution.
FILE - Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich arrives for a press conference about new settlement construction in the Israel-occupied West Bank near Maale Adumim, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Critics say the E1 plan is especially contentious because it would link settlements around Jerusalem with communities deeper in the occupied West Bank, making it far more difficult to establish a geographically contiguous Palestinian state. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right politician who oversees settlement policy and has championed the plan, framed the move as deliberate: “Every settlement, every neighborhood, every housing unit is another nail in the coffin of this dangerous idea,” he said in August after Israel gave final approval to the plan.
The tender listed on the Israel Land Authority’s website calls for proposals to develop 3,401 housing units. Peace Now said publication of the tender “reflects an accelerated effort to advance construction in E1.”
Israel and Syria Resume U.S.-Brokered Talks in Paris
Syrian and Israeli officials met in Paris for U.S.-mediated discussions aimed at crafting a security arrangement to reduce tensions. A joint statement said the talks focused on respect for Syria’s sovereignty and stability, Israel’s security, and mutual prosperity.
FILE - View of an area near Maale Adumim in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says housing units will be built as part of the E1 settlement project, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The statement said the sides agreed to establish a joint communication cell to enable immediate and ongoing coordination on intelligence sharing, military de-escalation, diplomatic engagement and commercial opportunities under U.S. supervision. The cell would provide a channel to address disputes and “prevent misunderstandings,” the statement said.
Recent instability in Syria has heightened regional tensions; Syrian officials in Paris said their priorities include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from contested areas and a return to prior arrangements, while Israel stressed the need to ensure security for its citizens and protect minorities in the region.
U.N.: Aid Groups Have Enough Food In Gaza For First Time Since 2023
The United Nations said that aid organizations now have sufficient food stocks to sustain people in Gaza for the first time since the war began in October 2023. “The January round is the first since October 2023 in which partners had sufficient stock to meet 100% of the minimum caloric standard,” U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said.
Palestinians walk past a tent camp amid buildings destroyed by Israeli air and ground operations in Gaza City Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
More humanitarian deliveries have reached Gaza since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on Oct. 10. However, aid operations face new constraints after Israel revoked the licences of more than three dozen organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, the Norwegian Refugee Council and Oxfam.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, urged Israel to restore NGO access to prevent deaths from exposure, hunger and shortages of medicines as thousands of displaced Palestinians return to damaged communities. “To deliver aid rapidly, safely and at the scale required, international NGOs must be able to operate in a sustained and predictable way,” she said.
Raid At Birzeit University Leaves Dozens Affected
The Palestinian Red Crescent said 11 people were wounded when Israeli forces raided Birzeit University in the West Bank. The university’s president, Talal Shahwan, said about 20 Israeli military vehicles stormed the gate and entered campus; video obtained by The Associated Press confirmed soldiers were on site.
Palestinians walk amid buildings destroyed by Israeli air and ground operations in Gaza City Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Shahwan described the operation as part of a recurring pattern of targeting the institution. Israeli officials said troops were deployed to break up an anticipated gathering and encountered several hundred people, some of whom allegedly threw rocks from rooftops; the military said it used targeted fire against “the main violent individuals.”
Foreign Media Denied Entry To Gaza
A coalition representing major international news organizations criticized the Israeli government’s refusal to allow foreign journalists into Gaza despite the ceasefire. Israel has barred foreign media from entering Gaza since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023.
The Foreign Press Association has asked Israel’s Supreme Court to lift the ban. After months of delays, the government told the court it still opposes allowing international journalists into Gaza on security grounds. The FPA, which represents dozens of outlets including The Associated Press, said it was “profoundly disappointed” and urged judges to end the restrictions.
Associated Press reporters Sewell, Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Koral Saeed in Herzliya, Toqa Ezzidin in Cairo and Maryclaire Dale in Philadelphia contributed to this report.
