Israel Says It Will Build New Homes in West Bank Israel on Friday announced plans to build 1,400 new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territory the Palestinians claim for their future state. Even though it was no surprise, the announcement is likely to anger Palestinians and could put the U.S.-led peace efforts in peril. Israel's housing ministry said 800 new houses will be built in the West Bank and 600 in east Jerusalem. The statement had been expected after Israel released 26 long-serving Palestinian prisoners in late December, part of a deal made last summer when Israeli-Palestinian peace talks resumed. It was the third of four pledged prisoner releases. The announcement was initially expected earlier in January, but was postponed, apparently to avoid any coinciding with last week's visit by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry who came in a fresh push to advance the negotiations. While Israel is not obligated to halt construction under the peace talks, Kerry has urged restraint and said the building raises questions about Israel's commitment to peace. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously issued similar construction announcements to blunt hardline criticism at home of prisoner releases as many of those released were convicted of killing Israeli civilians and soldiers. The new homes are planned in Ramat Shlomo, an enclave in east Jerusalem, and in various West Bank settlements. The Palestinians demand those areas, captured by Israel from Jordan in the 1967 Mideast war, for their state. They had long refused to negotiate with Israel while settlement construction continued. The fate of the territory is a main focus in peace talks and a very sensitive issue for both sides. Netanyahu faces tough opposition to relinquishing territory from critics within his government - many of whom cite its religious and historic significance for devout Jews, consider it the biblical Jewish heartland and heritage or are concerned over security issues. Under U.S. pressure, the Palestinians agreed to resume talks last summer. The tradeoff seems to have been Israel's acquiescence to release long-held Palestinian prisoners.