An Israeli watchdog has blasted prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's settlement policy during his four-year term, saying it shows intent to make a Palestinian state impossible to create, Belfast Telegraph reported.

The Peace Now group said in a report that nearly 40% of construction starts during the Netanyahu era were in settlements deep in the West Bank, compared with 20% under his predecessor.

It says he approved large projects, in particularly problematic areas.

The report was released a week before Israel's election, which Mr Netanyahu appears poised to win.

The Palestinians want a state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem. Since capturing these territories in 1967, Israel has moved 500,000 of its civilians there.

Mr Netanyahu says he is willing to negotiate but wants to keep Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank.