Egypt’s foreign ministry through a statement by its spokesperson, Ahmed Hafez, had on Sunday, denounced Israel’s decision to receive contractor bids to build 1,257 new settlement units, fearing it can isolate East Jerusalem.

The decision which was announced by the Israel Land Authority earlier on the same day, included the area of Givat Hamatos near East Jerusalem, despite international opposition to settlement plans.

Egypt’s foreign ministry said the Israeli decision constitutes a new violation of international legitimacy resolutions and relevant decisions of the United Nations Security Council.

Hafez expressed concern as these decisions can undermine chances of the two-state solution and isolate East Jerusalem from other Palestinian cities and warned against the impact of the steps on efforts to end the current stalemate in the Palestinian cause and on the security and stability of the region.

The Israeli step comes as US President Donald Trump, who has backed Israeli settlement plans, is set to leave office within weeks. President-elect Joe Biden was against the Ramat Shlomo settlement when he was vice president under President Barack Obama.

In February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced reviving a highly controversial plan to construct 3,500 settlement units east of Jerusalem.