Israel has approved the largest expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank in over 30 years, a move seen as a major step toward the de facto annexation of Palestinian land. The decision, announced by Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, includes establishing 22 new settlements deep inside the West Bank—areas from which Israel had previously withdrawn.
This expansion is the biggest since the Oslo Accords were signed in 1993, an agreement aimed at creating a pathway toward a Palestinian state and peace between Israel and Palestine. However, the new plan signals a shift away from those peace efforts.
The Israeli government stated that the new settlements have a “long-term strategic vision” to strengthen control over the West Bank, prevent the formation of a Palestinian state, and reserve land for future settlement development. Smotrich openly declared the move as a step toward annexing the territory, calling it the “inheritance of our ancestors.”
Palestinian officials and international observers have strongly condemned the announcement. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for the Palestinian Authority president, described the plan as a “dangerous escalation” that challenges international law and legitimacy. He warned that it would only fuel more violence and instability in the region.
Peace Now, an Israeli group that monitors settlements, criticized the government for pushing the expansion amid ongoing conflict. They called the move a clear signal that the government prefers to deepen occupation rather than pursue peace. Twelve of the new settlements involve the legalization of previously illegal outposts—settlements established without government approval but intended to force official recognition. Nine others are entirely new, while one existing neighborhood will be converted into an independent settlement.
Since early this year, Israel’s military has intensified operations in the West Bank, deploying tanks and conducting raids that displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians. Defense Minister Katz ordered the military to prepare for a long-term presence, signaling a continued hardline stance.
Israeli settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights are considered illegal by most of the international community. The expansion plan further complicates hopes for a two-state solution, which envisions an independent Palestine alongside Israel.
Adding to tensions, Israel’s security cabinet recently approved a process to register land in Area C of the West Bank—territory fully controlled by Israel. Peace Now called this move “a mega theft of Palestinian lands.”
The settlement expansion and continued military operations highlight the deepening crisis in the region. Palestinians face increasing displacement, while Israeli authorities push policies critics say are aimed at permanently controlling the territory. With peace talks stalled and violence escalating, the outlook for a peaceful resolution remains grim.
