Egypt condemns the Israeli government's decision to build 300 new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, ministry of foreign affairs spokesman Badr Abdel-Atti told Al-Ahram Arabic website.

"After consultations in the prime minister's office, the immediate construction of 300 homes in Beit El has been authorized," a statement from Netanyahu's office said on Wednesday, adding that planning for another 504 homes in occupied East Jerusalem had also been approved.

Abdel-Atti stated that this decision and the constant construction of new settlements in the West Bank city and East Jerusalem does not serve the interest of the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, adding that such decisions are hindering the efforts to restore talks between the Palestinian and Israeli sides regarding a two state solution.

The establishment of settlements is a clear violation of international law and the resolutions of the United Nations' Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits occupation authorities to make any geographic or demographic change in the territories under occupation, Abdel-Atti told Al Ahram Arabic Website.

Numerous UN security council resolutions, including Resolution 446, determined that the Israeli settlements have 'no legal validity' according to the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Abdel-Atti added that Egypt also condemns the Israeli aggression against Al-Aqsa mosque that took place on Sunday, during which dozens of worshipers were attacked by rubber-coated bullets and suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation.