Israel Approves Billions for West Bank and Gaza Settlements

The Israeli security cabinet approved a 1.3 billion shekel ($434 million) budget to establish 34 new settlements across the West Bank, including the Samaria, Binyamin, and Hebron regions. This initiative, spearheaded by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, brings the total number of settlements established during his tenure to 103. Smotrich described the move as a settlement and security revolution, adding that an additional 1.075 billion shekels will fund roads and infrastructure to translate legislative plans into physical reality.

Further expanding territorial control, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Smotrich signed an umbrella agreement to invest approximately $2.7 billion (eight billion ILS) into 12,000 new housing units and public institutions in the northern West Bank. Simultaneously, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to establish three Nahal military outposts in northern Gaza as precursors to civilian settlements. Military officials reported that Israel now controls 65% of Gaza, exceeding ceasefire agreements.

The Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission warned that Israel is advancing plans for 1,024 additional settlement units on Palestinian land, characterizing the effort as de facto annexation. The European Union and the United Nations condemned these measures, stating that settlement expansion undermines the viability of a two-state solution. Hamas described the plans as criminal steps toward annexation, while the Israeli government maintains these actions strengthen national security ahead of the October 27 legislative elections.