JERUSALEM — Israel has given the go-ahead for the construction of 764 more houses in three Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, a decision likely to further stoke tensions as a watchdog group accused the Israeli government of moving toward “de facto annexation” of the Palestinian territory.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Wednesday that the Higher Planning Council, the body in charge of settlement construction plans in the West Bank, approved 478, 230, and 56 housing units in the Hashmonaim, Beitar Illit and Givat Ze’ev settlements, respectively.

Smotrich, who formulates settlement policy and is a settler himself, called the council's decision part of a “clear strategic move to strengthen settlement and ensure continuity of life, security and growth." Wednesday's

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