The government of hawkish Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has embarked on a process to annex more Palestinian land for new settlements.

The Lands Registration Department at the Maaleh Adumin settlement in East al-Quds published advertisements in Israeli papers declaring intentions to annex nearly 34,345 acres of land which is claimed to be 'unregistered', the Al Quds newspaper reported on Sunday.

The announcement stated that the officials at the department have submitted a request to take full control of the 34,345 acres in the Dead Sea area under 'abandoned lands' act and use them for construction of new settlements.

The announcement gives the Palestinians a time limit of 45 days to file appeals 'if they can prove ownership' of the land.

The land in question, located between Jerusalem (al-Quds) and Ariha (Jericho), is part of the Palestinian areas of Nabi Mousa, al-Ta'amra, al-Rashayda and Ibin Obeid.

Meanwhile, the Palestine Today news agency said that according to an expert on maps and settlements, Khalil Tafakji, the Netanyahu government is trying to annex all Palestinian land near the Dead Sea beach to deprive the future Palestinian state access to any shore or tourism areas.

He added that Israel has already approved the construction of 20 houses in the Ramot illegal settlement in al-Quds, and 360 units in the Telmon settlement near Ramallah.

The move is in violation of four United Nations Security Council resolutions, the Fourth Geneva Convention and international law. It also ignores calls from the US President Barack Obama, the Quartet Committee and the European Union for and immediate freeze in settlements construction in the occupied territories.

FTP/SME/MMN