WEST BANK: The Israeli NGO Peace Now has released a report documenting an “unprecedented” surge in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank since October 7, 2023.
According to the report, there have been nine new “settlement outposts” and the construction of 18 new roads for settlers since Israel declared war on Gaza.
The West Bank, under Israeli military occupation since 1967, has also witnessed a notable increase in violent raids and incidents against Palestinians since October 7.
The Peace Now report suggests that the violence by settlers is directed at “marginalizing Palestinians.” Currently, approximately three million Palestinians reside in the West Bank, alongside 490,000 Israelis living in settlements considered illegal under international law.
The NGO also points out that settlers are exploiting the ongoing three-month war in Gaza to establish a de facto situation on the ground, aiming to expand their control over larger parts of Area C—an area in the West Bank with a high concentration of settlements.
The report stated that several ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu’s government are supporters of settlements, contributing to a “political environment” favoring the expansion of settlers’ projects.
Earlier this week, another Israeli NGO, Yesh Din, reported that violence by settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank reached a record high in 2023.
The United Nations documented 1,225 attacks by settlers on Palestinians during the same period.
In early December, the United States imposed sanctions on dozens of Israeli settlers, prohibiting them from entering the US.
Moreover, France, as stated by its Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, has decided to take action against some “extremist” settlers.
