Israel approves plan to establish 13 new settlements in occupied West Bank

What Happened

Israel’s Security Cabinet approved a plan to establish 13 new settlements in the Binyamin regional bloc of the central occupied West Bank, Israel’s Channel 7 reported. The Palestinian Jerusalem governorate said the first phase—4 to 6 settlements—is expected to begin in the coming months, backed by millions of shekels in investment, and will include the legalisation of several existing pastoral outposts. The plan targets corridors northwest of Jerusalem and west of Ramallah along Route 60, and territory extending eastward towards the Jordan Valley, which the governorate says is designed to link settlement blocs, tighten Israeli control over strategic hilltops, and restrict Palestinian territorial continuity, further isolating East Jerusalem from surrounding communities. The approval comes amid a surge in outpost construction, with MADAR data showing 86 new outposts in 2025, up from 62 in 2024 and 32 in 2023, alongside increased state funding—75 million shekels ($20m) in 2024.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The approval marks a significant expansion of Israeli settlement activity in a strategic corridor that severs Palestinian territorial continuity between Ramallah and Jerusalem, directly undermining the viability of a two-state solution. With more than 700,000 settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the surge—fueled by record state funding—signals a shift towards formalising outposts and may presage moves into Area A, violating Oslo. It occurs as Knesset elections approach, tying settlement policy to domestic political calculations and escalating tensions that could draw renewed international condemnation.

Watch For

Monitor the launch of construction for the initial 4-6 settlements in the coming months, any legalisation orders for outposts, and funding allocations. Watch for Palestinian diplomatic responses at the UN or ICC and potential statements from the U.S., EU and Arab states. The reported preparations to target Area A should be tracked, as any such move would constitute a major breach of Oslo and could trigger violent escalations in the West Bank.