EXPLAINERNews|ExplainerIllegal settlement expansion: How Israel is redrawing occupied West BankIsrael’s approval of 19 new settlements stands to redraw the occupied West Bank, undermining prospect of two-state solution.
## Approval of New Settlement Outposts in the West Bank
Approval of New Settlement Outposts in the West Bank
The Israeli security cabinet has sanctioned the establishment of 19 new settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank. This decision aligns with the current government's priority to annex occupied Palestinian territories. According to the United Nations, the expansion of Israeli settlements in 2025 has reached its highest level since 2017.
Under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration, the number of settlements and outposts in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has increased by nearly 50 percent, from 141 in 2022 to 210 presently. An outpost is constructed without official government authorization, whereas a settlement receives such approval.
Approximately 10 percent of Israel's Jewish population resides in these settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.
Geographical Distribution of New Settlements
The newly approved settlements are distributed across the West Bank, which is home to over three million Palestinians. Locations include areas near densely populated Palestinian villages such as Duma, Jalud, Qusra, and al-Lubban Asharqiya in the Nablus governorate, and Sinjil in the Ramallah and el-Bireh governorate. Additional sites are in the northwestern West Bank, near Palestinian towns such as Sa’ir and Beit Sahour, and in areas near Bethlehem and the Jericho governorate.
The Israeli security cabinet has sanctioned the establishment of 19 new settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank.
Israel's ongoing construction efforts continue to reinforce occupation and complicate the mobility of Palestinian residents. The construction of the Separation Barrier, extending over 700 kilometers through the West Bank, further restricts Palestinian movement.
Israeli settlements are considered illegal under international law by the United Nations, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the International Committee of the Red Cross as they violate the Fourth Geneva Convention. In July 2024, the ICJ ruled that Israel's occupation and settlement activities are unlawful and should cease promptly.
Despite a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for the end of Israeli occupation within a year, Israel continues its activities, supported by diplomatic backing from the United States.
Implications for Palestinian Statehood
The expanding settlements, along with other projects like the E1 settlement plan, further complicate the potential establishment of a Palestinian state. These developments have faced international criticism as they undermine the feasibility of a two-state solution. However, the current Israeli government maintains its stance against the formation of a Palestinian state, citing security concerns.
In response to these actions, several European nations, including the United Kingdom and France, have recognized Palestinian statehood in a bid to support a two-state solution.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
