International outrage was growing on Monday at Israeli plans to tighten the country's grip over the occupied West Bank, with the United Nations chief saying he was "gravely concerned".

Earlier, Saudi Arabia and seven other Muslim-majority countries condemned the new Israeli measures, which pave the way for more settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Announced on Sunday by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz after being approved by the security cabinet, they include allowing Jewish Israelis to buy West Bank land directly, and extending greater Israeli control over areas where the Palestinian Authority exercises power.

It was unclear when the new rules would take effect but they do not require further approval.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "gravely concerned" at the changes, and warned they were "eroding the prospects for the two-state solution", his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

The West Bank, which........

© Al Monitor