The Group of Seven nations condemned Israel's recent move to legally recognize five unauthorized Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, saying it was undermining peace efforts.

Foreign Ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies on Thursday denounced Israel's move to expand its settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying it was "counterproductive to the cause of peace".

US sanctions Israeli settler group and four outposts in occupied West Bank - New sanctions hit Lehava, umbrella group for settlers, and members of Tsasv9, which blocked aid from reaching starving Pale

The Group of Seven issued one of the more severe condemnations of Israel since the war with Hamas began in October, calling on the reversal of land seizures and legalisation of outposts in the occupied West Bank.

A settlement tracking group says Israel has approved the largest seizure of land in the occupied West Bank in over three decades.

The United States has imposed sanctions on several Israeli settlers and affiliated groups for violent activities in the West Bank. The sanctions target three individuals and four illegal settlements.

The Israeli government has approved plans to build nearly 5,300 new homes in settlements in the occupied West Bank, a monitoring group said Thursday.

Canada on Monday urged the Israeli government to reverse a decision to approve new settlement outposts in the West Bank, saying the move was in contravention of international law.