Following Palestine's decision to establish a new government backed by Hamas, Israel has declared its intention to build 1,500 more settlements houses in disputed lands in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. According to Housing Minister Uri Ariel, the decision to expand the housing settlements in both areas is a "fitting Zionist response to the formation of a Palestinian terror government."

Both Israel and the US consider Hamas a terrorist organization.

Ariel further adds that the expansion was "just the beginning." The areas Israel intends to build more settlement houses are all located in areas Palestinians consider rightfully part of their region.

The housing minister also reiterated the purpose of building additional settlements: as a protest against the new Hamas-funded Palestinian government.

The plans were revealed to the public early Thursday while construction may begin not too long from now.