Confidence-building measures with the Palestinian Authority were approved by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Tuesday, ahead of US President Joe Biden’s visit this week.
According to a statement by Israel’s military liaison office to the Palestinians, known as the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the measures include the registration of 5,500 stateless Palestinians, who are not registered in the Palestinian population registry.
With the exception of adding newborn babies or registering deaths, the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the Hamas-run authorities in Gaza are prevented by Israel from making additions or changes to the registry.
Gantz also approved additional 1,500 work permits for Palestinians in Gaza and the opening of a new crossing in the northern West Bank to allow Israeli-Arabs to enter Jenin city, according to the statement.
Meanwhile, according to a news website, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office ordered the removal of plans to build 2,000 settlement units in occupied East Jerusalem.
On Wednesday, Biden is expected to arrive in Israel on a regional trip that also includes the West Bank and Saudi Arabia.
