Israeli authorities have accelerated efforts to solidify control over land in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, amid escalating demolitions, evictions, and settlement expansions. This push has drawn widespread condemnation from Palestinian officials and international observers, who view the actions as undermining prospects for a Palestinian state.
Between July and September, Israeli forces reportedly conducted at least 139 demolition and land-clearing operations in East Jerusalem, with an additional 150 eviction and property-seizure notices issued, according to data from the al-Quds Governorate. Since January, approximately 170 Palestinian structures have been demolished in the city. Across the broader West Bank, Palestinian authorities recorded 341 demolition incidents targeting around 740 structures in the first half of 2026. One recent example near Hebron involved the demolition of a home in Khallet al-Deirat, which displaced two families within 25 minutes.
These demolitions coincide with a significant increase in Israeli settlement approvals. Between 2013 and 2022, only three new settlements were authorized, but since then, more than 100 have been approved. In March, the Israeli cabinet sanctioned 34 settlements in a single session. Notably, outposts previously deemed illegal under Israeli law have been retroactively authorized, despite concerns raised by military officials about overextending resources. Defense Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reportedly cautioned the government about the strain, but the cabinet proceeded regardless.
The government’s settlement campaign includes advancing controversial projects such as the E1 plan, which would establish housing that physically separates East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who inaugurated two new settlements on September 27, described the broader expansion as a “settlement revolution” aimed at blocking the creation of a Palestinian state. Similarly, War Minister Israel Katz announced plans to increase the settler population in the northern West Bank to one million. Previously evacuated settlements such as Ganim, Kadim, Sa-Nur, and Homesh have been reoccupied, with some families living under military protection.
Land confiscations have intensified, particularly in the Jenin governorate, where military orders have taken control of approximately 200 dunams in Areas A and C for civilian infrastructure projects, marking a departure from earlier practice where such seizures were framed as military necessities. Six new military camps have been established in the area, fragmenting rural Palestinian communities, restricting agricultural activities, and isolating villages such as Abu al-Sharqiyah and Arrabah. Local officials have characterized the measures as efforts to remove Palestinians while securing land for Israeli settlers. Reports also detail instances where settlers have pressured Palestinian families to relocate graves to accommodate settlement expansion.
The autumn olive harvest season has been marred by recurrent settler violence and military restrictions. Farmers in multiple villages have reported assaults, property damage, theft, and the destruction of olive trees. In several cases, irrigation water has been redirected to settlement developments, notably near Fasayil, where funds have been allocated to renovate an ancient reservoir designated as “Herod’s Pool” by Smotrich, causing the drying up of Palestinian farmland. In the Christian-majority village of Taybeh, Israeli authorities have declared the area a closed military zone during the harvest season, impeding Palestinian access while allowing settlers freedom of movement.
Violent incidents involving lethal force have further escalated tensions. Since early October, several Palestinians have been fatally shot near settlements or military checkpoints. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry accused Israeli soldiers of obstructing emergency medical response in one case. Meanwhile, journalists covering these events face direct threats. Recently, an Agence France-Presse photographer was assaulted and had equipment confiscated by armed settlers while soldiers nearby did not intervene, an act condemned by AFP’s global news director as unacceptable.
The International Court of Justice ruled in July 2024 that Israel’s presence in the occupied territories is illegal and called for the evacuation of settlers; however, Israeli authorities continue to expand settlement activities, deepening divisions and complicating the feasibility of a two-state solution.