The security cabinet approved in March Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz's proposal to authorize 34 new settlements in Judea and Samaria. The decision was kept secret until today. Under the decision, nine settlements will be established in Samaria, seven settlements in Benjamin, four in the Hebron Hills, seven in the Jordan Valley, six in Gush Etzion, and one in the Megilot Regional Council.