Quds City, May 16, SPA -- Israel plans by end-May to start extending its West Bank separation barrier around its largest settlement bloc, government and security officials said. The new segment would put the Maaleh Adumim settlement, with more than 30,000 residents, on the "Israeli" side of the barrier. Israel's Cabinet approved the Maaleh Adumim loop in February, but didn't announce a date for the start of construction, The Associated Press reported. Israel wants to begin building the Maaleh Adumim portion before withdrawing from the Gaza Strip this summer, the officials said on condition of anonymity.