(VOVworld)-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Monday that Israel will fast-track planning for 1,060 new apartments in populous Jewish neighborhoods of East Jerusalem.

The plans include 660 housing units in Ramat Shlomo and 400 in Har Homa, in territories occupied by Israel during the 1967 war. In addition to approving the new housing units, Netanyahu also ordered the advancement of infrastructure projects in West Bank settlements, including 12 new roads. The Jerusalem municipality's planning and construction committee will discuss a plan today to build 1,530 additional housing units in Ramat Shlomo, which was authorized last November but suspended after a US objection.