Israel’s Security Cabinet approved plans on July 3, 2026, to establish 13 new settlements in the central occupied West Bank. This decision, reported by Israel’s Channel 7, is met with strong opposition from Palestinian officials who argue that it will further fragment the territory and isolate East Jerusalem from surrounding Palestinian communities.
Details of the Settlement Expansion
The approved settlements will be located in the Binyamin regional area, one of the largest settlement blocs in the occupied West Bank. The first phase of construction is expected to commence in the coming months, focusing on the establishment of four to six new settlements backed by investments worth millions of shekels.
Additionally, several existing pastoral outposts are set for formal legalization, enabling these areas to receive government funding and essential infrastructure. The plan emphasizes two main corridors: areas northwest of Jerusalem and west of Ramallah along Route 60, as well as territories extending eastward toward the Jordan Valley.
Impact on Palestinian Territory and International Law
The Jerusalem governorate has described the expansion as a strategy to link settlement blocs, tighten Israeli control over strategic hilltops, and restrict Palestinian territorial continuity. The governorate warned that this plan aims to create new geographical realities that could undermine the prospects of establishing a contiguous Palestinian state.
