Israel Approves 19 New Jewish Settlements in the Occupied West Bank, Increasing Footprint by Nearly 50%
Israel has approved 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, raising the number of newly authorized settlements in recent years to 69.
Following this approval, the total number of settlements in the West Bank stands at 210, according to the Peace Now organization.
Among the newly authorized settlements are Kadim and Ganim, two of four settlements dismantled in 2005 that have now been retroactively legalized.
The decision by Israel's security cabinet represents an increase of nearly 50% in the West Bank settlement footprint under the current government, which is led by far-right figures Bezalel Smotrich, finance minister, and Itamar Ben-Gvir, security minister.
This expansion comes amid ongoing efforts by the United States to pursue a Gaza ceasefire phase 2 and explore a potential pathway to a Palestinian state; these settlements are widely seen as undermining such efforts.
The cabinet also retroactively legalized several outposts and neighborhoods and authorized the establishment of settlements on land from which Palestinians had been evacuated.
Settlements in the West Bank are regarded as illegal under international law.
The West Bank has experienced a surge in settler violence, with an average of eight attacks per day in October, and at least 136 attacks recorded by November 24, according to United Nations data.
Recent clashes have resulted in Palestinian fatalities, including 16-year-old Rayan Abu Muallah from Qabatiya and 22-year-old Ahmad Ziyoud from Silat al-Harithiya. The Israeli military reports that two militants were killed in these incidents, which remain under review.
