Israel approves 13 new illegal settlements in occupied West Bank

Israel's Security Cabinet on Thursday approved plans to establish 13 new illegal settlements in the central occupied West Bank, triggering immediate condemnation from Palestinian officials who warned the move would sever East Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings and fragment the territory. The decision targets the Binyamin regional area, with initial implementation expected to begin in the coming months and involving significant government investment, according to Israel's Channel 7.

Investment and implementation phases

The Binyamin Regional Council plans to launch the first phase by establishing between four and six new settlements backed by millions of shekels in state funding. This initial stage also includes legalizing several existing outposts by providing them with official infrastructure and financial support, the Jerusalem Governorate said in a statement.

Palestinian condemnation and expansion data

The Jerusalem Governorate condemned the decision as part of a broader policy aimed at expanding illegal settlements and isolating East Jerusalem from the rest of the occupied West Bank. The governorate said the plan seeks to create "new geographical realities on the ground, particularly in areas northwest of Jerusalem, west of the Ramallah and Al-Bireh governorates, and along the eastern slopes toward the Jordan Valley," calling the measures "a dangerous escalation" intended to tighten Israeli control over Palestinian land.

Palestinian officials linked the acceleration of settlement projects to Israel's domestic political considerations ahead of forthcoming elections. The Palestinian Center for Israeli Studies reported that settlement outposts had expanded at an unprecedented pace in recent years, with the annual average rising from eight between 2012 and 2022 to 32 in 2023, 62 in 2024 and 86 during 2025.