Israel has unveiled plans to build more than 600 new homes in Jewish settlements, drawing renewed international and Palestinian condemnation.
The move follows its decision yesterday to expand its West Bank separation barrier. Israel says the barrier will act as a bulwark against suicide bombers, while Palestinians call it a unilateral "land grab".
The Israelis today published building tenders for three West Bank settlements in defiance of the internationally-backed "road map" peace that calls for a halt to settlement construction.
Housing Ministry spokesman Mr Koby Bleich said the plan for 604 new units near Jerusalem - 50 in Maale Adumim, 530 in Beitar Illit, and 24 more in Ariel near the West Bank city of Nablus - was in accordance with government policy.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Washington had "concerns" about the announced construction plans. The international community views all Jewish settlements on occupied territory as illegal.
Palestinian cabinet member Mr Yasser Abed Rabbo called the new construction "evidence that the road map has been fully assassinated by an Israeli policy of settlement expansion".
Meanhwile, in Ramallah, Palestinian sources said Prime Minister-designate Ahmed Qurie would seek parliament's approval of his cabinet next Tuesday or Wednesday, delaying the vote until after the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur which restricts Palestinian travel.
The new cabinet will include an interior minister with wider powers and three deputies, a sign Palestinian Authority chairman Mr Yasser Arafat is attempting to silence internal strife and international censure by ceding some power.