JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorized construction of hundreds of new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, an Israeli official confirmed Tuesday.

The government has presented the move as a response to a series of deadly Palestinian attacks against Jewish settlers. The Palestinians have long viewed settlement construction as the biggest obstacle to the stalled peace process.

The official said construction would include 560 homes just outside Jerusalem, as well as nearly 200 in the city. The plan also called for over 600 homes in East Jerusalem.

Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 war. Most of the world opposes settlement construction in these areas, where the Palestinians hope to establish an independent state.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the Israeli plans raise ‘‘legitimate questions’’ about the country’s long-term intentions. Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi said Israel is ‘‘bent on destroying the viability, integrity, and territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian state.’’

Associated Press