Expert Warns of Displacement as Settlement Expands
The Israeli occupation escalation in the West Bank is manifested in the expansion of settlements and the legitimization of outposts. Recently, the Minister of Finance, Smotrich, announced his approval to expand the "Eili" settlement south of Nablus by constructing an additional 763 housing units. This comes amid a broader campaign of raids and widespread arrests in Palestinian areas following an attack by settlers that resulted in the death of four Palestinians and Israelis. Moreover, the Israeli government approved a funding of 1.3 billion shekels for the establishment of 34 new settlements and strategic expansions, alongside transferring land management and planning powers from the military to a civilian authority led by Smotrich. This transfer aims to accelerate the approval processes for settlement projects. On the ground, settler attacks against Palestinians are increasing, including burning homes and mosques and sabotaging land. These actions have contributed to a rise in displacement and expulsion of Palestinians, with settler attacks accounting for about 75% of displacement cases in 2026. Since 2023, over 5,800 Palestinians have been displaced. These policies are aimed at permanently altering the face of the West Bank and are supported by on-the-ground initiatives within a broader, expansive settlement project that threatens the very existence and rights of Palestinians in the region.
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