الأراضي المقدسة الخضراء / GHLands
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An aerial view shows the town of Burqa, northwest of Nablus, and construction work at the site of the "Homesh" settlement. (Photo: AFP) |
The National Bureau for Defending Land and Resisting Settlements stated in its weekly report that the Israeli occupation authorities continue to implement new settlement projects aimed at reshaping the geographical landscape of the northern occupied West Bank through the establishment of new settlements, the expansion of existing ones, and the construction of an extensive network of settlement roads that fragment Palestinian towns and villages.
According to the report, these projects include the establishment and expansion of 18 settlements, most notably the Yahnit settlement on the lands of Arraba town in Jenin Governorate and the Rosh HaAyin Mizrahit settlement on lands belonging to the towns of Deir Ballut and Al-Zawiya in Salfit Governorate. The plans also include the legalization of several settlement outposts and pastoral outposts, transforming them into officially recognized settlements under the Israeli master planning scheme.
The report added that new plans between the governorates of Nablus and Jenin include the construction of a settlement road linking the Homesh settlement with the Jordan Valley, effectively separating the two governorates geographically. The plans also involve expanding the Sanur settlement and nearby outposts as part of a settlement belt intended to sever Palestinian territorial continuity across the northern West Bank.
According to the report, planning maps and field data reveal a project to construct another settlement road connecting the Homesh and Shuva Yisrael settlements to the Shagit Yehuda settlement in the Jordan Valley. The road would cut through thousands of dunums of confiscated agricultural land belonging to the towns of Beit Imrin and Yasid northwest of Nablus before extending toward the towns of Jaba' and Siris south of Jenin, effectively separating Jenin from Nablus along its southeastern axis.
The report further noted that the so-called Higher Planning Council has approved a plan to rebuild and expand the Sanur settlement, including the construction of 126 permanent settlement housing units around the historic fortress, as well as private homes and multi-story buildings funded by the Israeli government, as part of efforts to consolidate a permanent settlement presence in the area.
It also highlighted intensified expansion within the Shaked–Reihan settlement bloc west of Jenin, which includes the settlements of Shaked, Hananit, Reihan, and Tel Menashe. Expansion plans involve extending their municipal boundaries at the expense of Areas A and B, while linking the Shavei Shomron settlement to the bypass road network to facilitate settlers' movement toward the Jordan Valley and Homesh without passing through Palestinian communities.
In addition, the report said the broader plan includes the construction of several new settlement roads, including one linking Mount Ebal to Homesh via Tirsala, the Sanur military camp, and Dotan. Another road would extend from Jabal Al-Salama in Raba to the Noa settlement near the Arab American University before continuing to Dotan. Other proposed roads would connect the settlements of Ganim and Kadim to the Jalameh military checkpoint and link these settlements to Noa, in addition to another road leading to a new settlement planned near the village of Faqqu'a.
The report stated that the occupation authorities are also accelerating efforts to seize Mount Ebal, north of Nablus, by establishing a residential and pastoral settlement outpost as a precursor to transforming it into a permanent settlement. According to the report, the project aims to isolate the city and consolidate Israeli control over its strategically important mountain peaks.
It noted that settlers established the initial nucleus of the outpost in March 2026, in cooperation with the so-called Northern West Bank Settlements Council and the settlement organization Amana. The continued installation of mobile homes (caravans) and heavy equipment is intended to reinforce the settlement's infrastructure in implementation of an Israeli Security Cabinet decision issued in May 2025, which approved the legalization and establishment of 22 new settlement sites across the occupied West Bank, with Mount Ebal identified as one of the key locations.
The report added that Israeli authorities are using biblical narratives promoted by Israeli archaeological organizations regarding the existence of an alleged "altar" in the Al-Barnat area on Mount Ebal to justify transforming the site into a Jewish religious and tourist landmark, thereby facilitating the confiscation of extensive surrounding lands under the pretext of protecting archaeological sites.
According to the report, control over Mount Ebal, the highest peak in the Nablus mountain range, would provide Israel with military oversight of the city of Nablus and the surrounding northern and eastern villages. It is also linked to a broader project to establish a network of settlement roads connecting Homesh and Sanur, strengthening Israeli control over the northern West Bank while ensuring unrestricted movement for settlers away from Palestinian communities.
The report also stated that Israeli authorities continue targeting the Al-Baqi'a Plain, east of Tubas, by destroying water pipelines that irrigate thousands of dunums of farmland as part of the implementation of the Scarlet Thread project, which aims to establish a military road and separation barrier on Palestinian-owned land.
It added that Israeli bulldozers have, for several months, continued land-leveling operations, destroying agricultural lands planted with trees and vegetables while damaging water networks. These actions threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of farmers and increase pressure for their forced displacement to facilitate settlement expansion.
According to the report, preliminary estimates indicate that approximately 24,000 dunums, owned by nearly 300 farmers, are now threatened by drought and destruction. This represents roughly one-quarter of the 96,000-dunum Al-Baqi'a Plain, while the remainder of the plain remains at risk as excavation work continues. The report described the Scarlet Thread project as a significant step toward separating the Jordan Valley from the rest of the occupied West Bank and tightening Israeli control over the area.
The report recalled that the Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed in November 2025 that the project includes constructing a 22-kilometer military road and a 50-meter-wide separation barrier, stretching from the village of Ein Shibli in the central Jordan Valley to the Tayasir military checkpoint, following military orders confiscating 1,042 dunums of Palestinian-owned land and the commencement of excavation works that are expected to isolate thousands of additional dunums.
On the financial front, the report said that Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is seeking approval for a new financial package worth hundreds of millions of shekels for settlements before the current government's term ends, with part of the allocations designed to remain binding on future governments, according to Haaretz.
The report explained that Smotrich's plan includes allocating an additional 200 million shekels for what is referred to as "Jewish Identity" programs through 2028, ensuring continued funding beyond the current government's term. These allocations are in addition to budgets already approved this year, including 82 million shekels for the Jewish Identity Directorate under the Prime Minister's Office, 60 million shekels for "Jewish Culture," and hundreds of millions more designated for the ministries responsible for heritage, tradition, and national missions.
The report added that Smotrich is also pushing to expand the benefits granted to settlements through two new decisions aimed at broadening the definition of National Priority Areas, with one decision covering settlements in the Jordan Valley and the other extending to settlements adjacent to the Gaza Strip, allowing them to receive additional economic incentives and tax exemptions.
It further noted that Haaretz reported that a significant portion of these funds has not yet been spent, with at least one billion shekels still remaining in coalition funds, in addition to 1.3 billion shekels officially allocated for local authority development projects, although part of these funds is reportedly being used to satisfy coalition parties' political demands.
The report also stated that the early campaign for Israel's parliamentary elections, expected before the end of this year, has prompted right-wing leaders to intensify their rhetoric regarding settlements and the occupied West Bank.
According to the report, Smotrich, who also serves as a minister within Israel's Ministry of Defense and heads the Religious Zionism Party, told a conference of settlement leaders in the occupied West Bank that his objectives in the next government include the displacement of Palestinians, the cancellation of the Oslo Accords, and advancing the annexation of the occupied West Bank, describing these measures as "the long-term solution to the conflict."
The report added that Smotrich also called for abandoning the concept of a Palestinian state and changing the political and security reality in the occupied West Bank. He further expressed his aspiration to extend what he described as the "settlement revolution" to the Negev and Galilee to strengthen the Jewish presence there.
It also noted that former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett joined the election campaign by declaring that Area C, which constitutes approximately 60 percent of the occupied West Bank, "will be part of the State of Israel," while Areas A and B would remain under limited Palestinian self-rule, reflecting his rejection of the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Regarding the weekly field violations documented by the National Bureau for Defending Land and Resisting Settlements, the report said that Israeli forces and settlers continued attacks across various parts of the occupied West Bank, including military incursions, assaults on civilians, home demolitions, land leveling, road closures, destruction of property, and direct attacks against Palestinian residents.
Jerusalem
According to the report, Israeli settlers raided the vicinity of the Al-Mahtoush Bedouin community, home to the Al-Ar'ara family, near Khan al-Ahmar, east of occupied Jerusalem. In Kafr Aqab, Israeli occupation forces demolished three residential buildings under construction in the Al-Touri neighborhood while carrying out extensive land-leveling operations and blocking the area's main road under the pretext of unlicensed construction, effectively isolating the neighborhood and restricting residents' movement.
The report also stated that one Palestinian was injured by Israeli live fire, while several female high school students suffered from tear gas inhalation after Israeli forces fired toxic gas canisters. In Shuafat Refugee Camp, Israeli forces demolished several kiosks and storefronts.
The report further noted that the Shaloudi family in Wadi Hilweh, Silwan, received an eviction order issued by the Israeli Enforcement and Collection Authority in favor of the settlement company Himanuta. According to the eviction notice, the decision is based on a 2004 court ruling claiming that the family no longer has the legal right to reside in the property after it was classified as "Absentee Property."
Hebron
In Hebron Governorate, the report stated that settlers blocked the entrance to the Ishkara area, south of Yatta, with earth mounds, obstructing residents' movement and completely isolating the area. A settler also released a flock of sheep near Palestinian homes in the village of Susiya, while others deliberately grazed their livestock on agricultural land in the Sha'ab Al-Butm area, causing extensive damage to crops and uprooting centuries-old olive trees.
In the town of Surif, three Palestinians were injured during an attack by settlers from the Beit Ein settlement. The settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces, opened live fire on residents in the Al-Qurainat area, wounding a 57-year-old man, his 27-year-old son, and another 31-year-old man.
In Susiya, a settler sprayed pepper spray at Palestinian resident Nasser Al-Nawaja'a, causing him to suffer from suffocation. Four other Palestinians sustained injuries, bruises, and tear gas inhalation during an attack carried out by armed settlers on homes in the Wadi Al-Rakhim and Khallet Al-Hummus areas south of Yatta. The injured were transferred to Yatta Government Hospital for medical treatment.
The report also documented the uprooting and destruction of approximately 60 trees, including 40 olive trees and 20 forest trees. Settlers blocked the road linking Khallet Al-Hummus and Wadi Al-Rakhim, preventing residents from moving freely. In the Saddat Al-Tha'la area, another group of settlers stormed the community and conducted what the report described as provocative searches of residents' homes and caves.
The report added that groups of settlers also attempted to steal livestock belonging to Palestinian residents before local villagers confronted them and forced them to withdraw. In the town of As-Samu', settlers raided the Al-Kharaba area, deliberately grazing their livestock among homes and agricultural fields, damaging crops while verbally abusing and physically assaulting residents under the protection of Israeli occupation forces.
Bethlehem
According to the report, settlers destroyed approximately 20 olive trees in the Umm Al-Zuweitina area of the Kisan Wilderness, only two days after reportedly destroying 50 olive trees at the same location. In the village of Al-Rashaida, settlers erected a settlement tent on privately owned Palestinian land as part of efforts to expand settlement activity.
In the village of Wadi Rahhal, Israeli occupation authorities issued stop-work orders against eight houses under construction, in addition to two other homes in the area. Similar orders were issued for two agricultural structures owned by Othman Mahmoud Al-Fawaghra and Samih Abdul Karim Rahhal.
Israeli forces also demolished an inhabited house in the Umm Rokba area of Al-Khader under the pretext of lacking a building permit, as well as another occupied single-story house measuring 140 square meters, in addition to a vehicle wash facility.
In Beit Sahour, Israeli forces demolished a poultry farm in the Ush Ghrab area and redeployed in Princess Park, which had previously been demolished. They also demolished several caravans and a wall in the village of Al-Walaja that had been used for storing construction equipment and materials. In addition, a concrete wall belonging to Palestinian resident Hakam Al-Salwadi was demolished.
The report further noted that Israeli authorities issued stop-work orders against three homes in Al-Walaja for alleged unlicensed construction, while separate notices were served to halt construction on 15 additional homes in the Khallet Al-Samak neighborhood, north of Al-Walaja, on the same grounds.
Ramallah
The report stated that settlers used heavy machinery to construct two new settlement roads in the Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate. The roads cut through Palestinian-owned land in the town of Kobar and extend toward the village of Beitillu through Wadi Al-Shami, passing the villages of Kharbatha Bani Harith and Deir Qaddis, northwest of Ramallah.
The report also noted that settlers bulldozed Palestinian-owned land in the town of Al-Taybeh as part of ongoing efforts to seize additional land and expand settlement outposts surrounding the town. Armed settlers attacked the town of Turmus Ayya from its eastern side, grazed their sheep in olive groves and between Palestinian homes in what the report described as an attempt to intimidate residents, and surrounded the home of Palestinian resident Alaa Hijaz, attempting to force their way inside.
In the town of Sinjil, settlers attacked the western area of the town, where local residents confronted them while Israeli occupation forces simultaneously entered the area to provide protection for the settlers. In Deir Dibwan, settlers raided the town, seized a vehicle, and closed the iron gate installed by Israeli forces at the town's entrance.
In Al-Taybeh, settlers assaulted the family of Palestinian resident Nayef Ka'abneh and cut off water and electricity lines. The report also documented attacks on Palestinian farmers while they were working in a valley between the villages of Jamala and Beitillu, in an effort to prevent them from accessing their farmland.
The report further stated that settlers set fire to a vehicle repair workshop in the village of Shuqba, north of Ramallah. The blaze spread across large parts of the facility and surrounding land.
Nablus
According to the report, settlers raided agricultural land belonging to Palestinian farmers in the village of Qaryut, causing extensive damage in an attempt to prevent landowners from accessing and cultivating their property. A separate group of settlers attacked homes in the village of Burin, south of Nablus, after storming the village entrance and opening fire toward residents.
In the town of Beita, settlers damaged an electricity pole in the Qamas area, attacked a home in the Al-Haraeq area, and vandalized Palestinian property. On the road connecting the village of Duma with Khirbet Al-Marajim, south of Nablus, settlers blocked the road with earth mounds.
In the village of Burqa, a 33-year-old Palestinian sustained injuries and bruises after being assaulted by settlers during an attack targeting the village and was transferred to hospital for treatment. In the village of Salem, Israeli occupation forces prevented farmers from harvesting their land, confiscated the key to a harvesting machine, and forced them to leave their fields at gunpoint.
The report also documented an attack by settlers from the Yitzhar settlement on Palestinian homes in the village of Burin, during which one resident and his sons were assaulted and two vehicles were vandalized.
Northern Jordan Valley
According to the report, Israeli occupation policies have forced several families to leave their land in the Northern Jordan Valley following the destruction of dozens of greenhouses that constituted their primary source of livelihood.
The report also stated that settlers damaged a major water pipeline and stole sections of it in several areas of Atouf, east of the town of Tammun. They also vandalized water meters and parts of irrigation networks while Israeli authorities continued land-leveling operations to construct a military road in the area.
On the Al-Mu'arrajat Road, which links Jericho and Ramallah, settlers attacked passing vehicles, blocked traffic, and vandalized several cars, disrupting movement and creating fear among local residents.
The report further documented that settlers wearing military-style uniforms attacked vineyards belonging to Palestinian farmer Nazeer Mohammad Bisharat in the Atouf Plain and assaulted workers present at the site. Meanwhile, Israeli occupation forces confiscated agricultural equipment and solar panels in the Al-Deir area of the Northern Jordan Valley as part of what the report described as ongoing efforts to pressure Palestinian residents into leaving their land in favor of settlement expansion projects.
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