An aerial view shows the Israeli settler outpost of Homesh (C-bottom), near the Palestinian village of Burqah, in the occupied West Bank, on May 29, 2023. - Israeli settlers started reviving the flashpoint outpost settlement in the occupied West Bank on May 29, which had been evacuated nearly two decades prior, constructing a building at the site which has drawn international attention. The latest development comes weeks after the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged his government had no plans to reconstruct the site, after a parliamentary vote on the matter sparked ire abroad. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP)
Nablus, February 21, 2026 (WAFA) – A report prepared by the National Bureau for Defending the Land and Resisting Settlement revealed that the Israeli occupation government continues to implement extensive colonial projects in the West Bank under the name of “land settlement and registration,” which constitutes a violation of international law and a threat to the Palestinians’ right to their land.
The office added in its weekly settlement report issued on Saturday that the occupation government allocated 244.1 million shekels over three years to establish a mechanism for land registration and settlement procedures in Area C, which entails the risk of displacing Palestinians from about 83% of this area, after registering the lands in the name of the “state” if their owners are unable to prove their ownership under the difficult conditions imposed by the occupation authorities.
The report indicated that these decisions are issued by sovereign ministries, namely the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Defense, in a move that demonstrates the formal nature of the colonial annexation, and aims to control Palestinian lands and expand settlements, most notably the Adam settlement “Geva Binyamin” northeast of Jerusalem, which includes plans to establish about 6,000 new units, in addition to developing infrastructure and public facilities.
The report confirmed the continuation of settlement, land confiscation and demolition activities in all West Bank governorates, including Jerusalem, Hebron, Salfit, Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem and the Jordan Valley, where the violations included: the demolition of homes and agricultural and commercial facilities, land confiscation, preventing Palestinians from cultivating their lands, looting livestock and imposing new outposts.
He pointed out that these colonial policies led to the displacement of dozens of Palestinian families and undermined the economic and social foundations of farmers and landowners, while Arab countries and international organizations, including the European Union, the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, called for a reversal of these measures, considering them to be in violation of international law and a threat to the chances of a two-state solution.
He noted that the development plan for the Adam settlement, “Geva Binyamin,” practically involves the creation of a new neighborhood in Jerusalem, expanding it for the first time since 1967 into the West Bank, without any geographical or functional connection between the targeted area and the settlement.
He noted that as part of the comprehensive development of the settlement, approximately 500 units were marketed in the first phase, and that development will continue according to the approved marketing phases and plans. The agreement includes a large-scale development of public and recreational spaces, including the establishment of a new sports and entertainment complex, gardens, and open public spaces, with a budget of approximately 29 million shekels. It also includes future preparations for the establishment of educational and public institutions, with an investment of approximately 18 million shekels for excavation work and infrastructure development, in preparation for the construction of kindergartens and schools.
According to the Peace Now movement, this is the first time since 1967 that Jerusalem has been expanded into the West Bank, under the guise of establishing a new settlement, to conceal a move that effectively applies Israeli sovereignty.
The report explained that the destructive colonial activities of the occupying authorities are not limited to expanding colonialism around the city of Jerusalem, or to the annexation plans included in the recent decisions of the Israeli government, but rather they include the entire West Bank, in the broadest attack it has been subjected to since the beginning of this year.
In this regard, he explained that the Salfit Governorate has a large share of the current colonial onslaught that the West Bank is being subjected to, and it has become the second governorate after Jerusalem to be targeted by colonialism and Judaization.
According to a number of data and colonial maps, 41 new structural plans were approved by the occupation during the year 2025 on the lands of the governorate, where tenders were issued for the construction of 10,098 new colonial units, in more than one area, including: 730 units in the “Ariel” settlement in a location more than 2 kilometers away from it, which means the occupation’s intention to establish a new settlement, without announcing it, and these tenders are necessarily accompanied by the seizure of lands.
At the beginning of this year, the occupation authorities, under the name of “state lands,” seized an area of 694 dunams of citizens’ lands in the towns of Kafr Thulth, Deir Istiya, and Bidya through the official in charge of government and absentee property, considering it as government property or state lands.
This comes as clearly within the framework of the occupation’s plan to establish a new colonial settlement east of Qalqilya, specifically to the south of the “Karnei Shomron” settlement, under the name “Dorot”.
This coincides with ongoing bulldozing operations on citizens’ lands in the Ras area northwest of Salfit city, and continuous raids on the villages of Yasuf, Kafr Haris, Kafr ad-Dik, Qarawat Bani Hassan, and the town of Bidya.
The report noted that about 40 settlements and communities, the largest of which is the “Ariel” settlement, are located on the governorate’s lands. There are also four industrial zones, established on about 2037 dunams: the “Barkan” industrial zone on an area of about 1130 dunams, the “Ariel” industrial zone on an area of 647 dunams, the “Ali Zahav” industrial zone on an area of about 223 dunams, and the “Elkana” industrial zone on an area of 37 dunams.
In the Hebron Governorate, the Minister of Economy in the occupation government, Nir Barkat, recently announced plans to establish a colonial industrial complex south of Hebron on a 2,400-dunam plot of land, located in a strategic location on the seam line, north of Beersheba. Approximately 12 million shekels have been invested so far in planning procedures, and an additional investment request worth 35 million shekels is expected to be presented to the Development Committee for discussion, with the aim of starting development work, with the project to be completed as soon as possible in 2026.
In Hebron as well, the occupation army sends its forces to the southern Hebron hills area to prevent Palestinians from plowing and planting their lands. It has sent its soldiers many times at the beginning of winter to prevent Palestinians from cultivating their lands in response to the settlers’ request.
The following is a summary of the violations during the past week:
Jerusalem:
The occupation forces delivered new demolition notices in the Wadi al-Awaj and Wadi Saab Bedouin communities east of the city, and notified of the evacuation and demolition of more than 20 homes and residential, agricultural and commercial facilities in the Waar al-Beik area of Anata town, under the pretext of building without a permit.
In Jabal al-Mukaber, the Jerusalem occupation municipality forced citizen Samir Aliyan Arar to demolish his house with his own hands, and in Anata it delivered 40 notices to demolish additional houses.
In the town of Sur Baher, the occupation forces demolished a number of agricultural structures and forced the Ahmed Khader family to demolish their two-story house after receiving an official notice, in order to avoid its forced demolition and the payment of a financial penalty.
The occupation authorities also announced the seizure of land in the town of Beit Hanina, under a “seizure order,” approximately 286 square meters, under the pretext of “military purposes”.
In the village of Mikhmas, four citizens were injured in an attack by settlers, including three injuries from live ammunition. Nearby, settlers raised the flag of the “Temple Mount groups” in a new outpost on Palestinian land.
Al-Khalil:
Israeli occupation forces delivered a notice of “seizure” for the archaeological site of Tell Ma’in in Masafer Yatta to construct a military tower, with the support of the extremist Ben Gvir. Settlers also stormed the areas of Huwara and Khirbet al-Hummus, stealing Palestinian vehicles and livestock, and attacking shepherds from the Abu Ubaid family with stones.
In the village of Al-Koum, west of Hebron, the occupation authorities issued orders to demolish four houses belonging to the Rajoub families, and notified of the uprooting of thousands of olive trees along the bypass road.
In the town of As-Samu, settlers burned dozens of sheep. In the Al-Hara’iq area, adjacent to the “Hagai” settlement, occupation forces demolished a residential building belonging to the Muhammad Salhab family, housing more than 40 people, and issued demolition notices for four houses in the village of Al-Kum, west of Hebron.
In the Al-Sawana area between Al-Dhahiriya and Al-Ramadin, settler attacks forced 10 families to leave their homes, as a result of the continuous harassment they were subjected to.
Bethlehem:
Settlers stormed the lands of Rashayda and Khala’il al-Lawz, east of the governorate, causing significant damage to agricultural crops. Others stormed the Wadi Saif area in the town of Beit Fajjar.
In the city of Beit Jala, the occupation forces demolished a commercial facility for selling car parts, and issued notices to stop construction on 15 houses in the “Al-Masabih” area, east of the town of Tuqu’.
A residential building was also demolished in the “Ard al-Deir” area of al-Khader, and notices were issued regarding the seizure of lands in preparation for paving a colonial road linking the settlements of “Givat Eitam” and “Tekoa”.
Ramallah:
Settlers seized lands in the eastern Mughair plain, brought in their livestock, attacked citizens’ homes in Deir Ammar and Turmus Ayya, kidnapped the young man Rashid Fayez Arara and handed him over to the occupation forces, stole livestock in the village of Yabroud, and caused injuries to 3 young men, women and children during the confrontations.
In the town of Shuqba, the occupation forces demolished an agricultural facility, while settlers expanded an outpost in the town of Turmus Ayya.
Nablus:
Settlers attacked Palestinian homes in the Al-Hara’iq and Bir Quza areas of Beita, and stole a horse from the plain of Deir Sharaf village.
Extremist Knesset member Tzvi Tzukot also stormed the Al-Lubban Al-Sharqiya Girls’ High School and filmed inside, threatening the teaching staff, before the occupation army stormed the village.
Salfit: Settlers bulldozed citizens’ lands in the pastoral outpost of “Hafat Ibn Heimer” north of Deir Istiya, and the occupation forces demolished a two-story house in the village of Qarawat Bani Hassan under the pretext of building without a permit.
The Jordan Valley: Settlers fenced off about 1,500 dunams in the Khirbet Samra area, forcing 15 families to dismantle their homes, while seven other families were forced to leave the nearby “Al-Mayta” community as a result of the settlers’ continued attacks.
Settlers also attacked Palestinian livestock in Wadi Abu al-Hayat, west of al-Auja, causing significant damage to farms and livestock.
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S.K.
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