Israel has approved the largest land seizure in the occupied West Bank in more than 30 years, according to the anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now. The decision is likely to escalate tensions amid the ongoing war in Gaza. The latest land seizure involves the appropriation of 12.7 square kilometres (nearly 5 square miles) of land in the Jordan Valley.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-oslo-accords-at-30-hope-struggle-and-the-quest-for-peace-635453">The Oslo Accords: A journey of hope, struggle, and quest for peace</a>

Peace Now reported that this recent appropriation is the largest since the 1993 Oslo accords. The decision, finalised late last month but only revealed on Wednesday (July 3), follows the seizure of 8 square kilometres (approximately 3 square miles) in March and 2.6 square kilometres (1 square mile) in February. The combined actions have made 2024 a peak year for Israeli land seizures in the West Bank.

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

The appropriated land is contiguous and situated northeast of Ramallah, the administrative centre of the Palestinian Authority. By designating these lands as state property, the Israeli government has opened them up for leasing to Israelis and therefore prohibiting private Palestinian ownership.

Also watch |&nbsp;Severe unrest in West bank amid Gaza war, Israeli raids in West Bank target Hamas funding | WION

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The expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank is viewed by Palestinians as the primary obstacle to a lasting peace agreement. Most of the international community also considers these settlements illegal or illegitimate. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem during the 1967 war, territories that Palestinians seek for a future state.

However, Israel's current government calls the West Bank as the historical and religious heartland of the Jewish people and opposes Palestinian statehood.

Israel has established over 100 settlements in the West Bank, home to more than 500,000 Jewish settlers with Israeli citizenship. In contrast, the 3 million Palestinians living in the West Bank remain under Israeli military rule.

Although the Palestinian Authority governs parts of the West Bank, it is restricted from operating in 60 per cent of the territory where the settlements are located. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Israel has approved the largest land seizure in the occupied West Bank in more than 30 years, according to the anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now. The decision is likely to escalate tensions amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

Israel has approved the largest land seizure in the occupied West Bank in more than 30 years, according to the anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now. The decision is likely to escalate tensions amid the ongoing war in Gaza. The latest land seizure involves the appropriation of 12.7 square kilometres (nearly 5 square miles) of land in the Jordan Valley. Also read | The Oslo Accords: A journey of hope, struggle, and quest for peace Peace Now reported that this recent appropriation is the largest since the 1993 Oslo accords. The decision, finalised late last month but only revealed on Wednesday (July 3), follows the seizure of 8 square kilometres (approximately 3 square miles) in March and 2.6 square kilometres (1 square mile) in February. The combined actions have made 2024 a peak year for Israeli land seizures in the West Bank. What does it mean? The appropriated land is contiguous and situated northeast of Ramallah, the administrative centre of the Palestinian Authority. By designating these lands as state property, the Israeli government has opened them up for leasing to Israelis and therefore prohibiting private Palestinian ownership. Also watch | Severe unrest in West bank amid Gaza war, Israeli raids in West Bank target Hamas funding | WION × The expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank is viewed by Palestinians as the primary obstacle to a lasting peace agreement. Most of the international community also considers these settlements illegal or illegitimate. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem during the 1967 war, territories that Palestinians seek for a future state. However, Israel's current government calls the West Bank as the historical and religious heartland of the Jewish people and opposes Palestinian statehood. Israel has established over 100 settlements in the West Bank, home to more than 500,000 Jewish settlers with Israeli citizenship. In contrast, the 3 million Palestinians living in the West Bank remain under Israeli military rule. Although the Palestinian Authority governs parts of the West Bank, it is restricted from operating in 60 per cent of the territory where the settlements are located. (With inputs from agencies)

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Israeli military bombed Hamas on Monday (June 24) a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the "intense phase" of the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip was winding down. He stressed that the war would continue until the militant group no longer controlled the besieged Palestinian enclave.

In his first TV interview since Hamas' Oct 7 assault, Netanyahu on Sunday (June 23) stated that once the intense phase comes to an end, the Israeli forces would be deployed along the northern border with Lebanon, where the fighting with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group has intensified.

"The intense phase of the fighting against Hamas is about to end," Netanyahu said in an interview with Israel's Channel 14.

"This doesn't mean that the war is about to end, but the war in its intense phase is about to end in Rafah," he said.

He then said that the aim was to "uproot the Hamas regime in Gaza," rejecting the Palestinian militant group's demand for a complete ceasefire.

Netanyahu further stated that Israel would return its displaced citizens to their evacuated northern border communities amid fears of a full-scale war in Lebanon.

"After the intense phase is finished, we will have the possibility to move part of the forces north. And we will do this. First and foremost for defensive purposes. And secondly, to bring our (evacuated) residents home," the Israeli PM stated.

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"If we can we will do this diplomatically. If not, we will do it another way. But we will bring (the residents) home," he added.

On being asked about the post-war scenarios in Gaza, Netanyahu said Israel would maintain "military control in the foreseeable future" but that "we also want to create a civilian administration, if possible with local Palestinians" and regional backing.

<h2>Hamas slams Netanyahu</h2>

Hamas hit out at the Israeli prime minister stating that his remarks were a "clear confirmation of his rejection of the recent (UN) Security Council resolution and the proposal of US President Joe Biden," who called for the release of hostages and a truce deal.

The Palestinian militant group then stated that any such agreement must include a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal in order to stop what it termed "Netanyahu's attempts to evade, deceive and perpetuate the aggression and war of extermination against our people".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Israeli military bombed Hamas on Monday (June 24) a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the "intense phase" of the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip was winding down.

Israeli military bombed Hamas on Monday (June 24) a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the "intense phase" of the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip was winding down. He stressed that the war would continue until the militant group no longer controlled the besieged Palestinian enclave. In his first TV interview since Hamas' Oct 7 assault, Netanyahu on Sunday (June 23) stated that once the intense phase comes to an end, the Israeli forces would be deployed along the northern border with Lebanon, where the fighting with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group has intensified. "The intense phase of the fighting against Hamas is about to end," Netanyahu said in an interview with Israel's Channel 14. "This doesn't mean that the war is about to end, but the war in its intense phase is about to end in Rafah," he said. He then said that the aim was to "uproot the Hamas regime in Gaza," rejecting the Palestinian militant group's demand for a complete ceasefire. Netanyahu further stated that Israel would return its displaced citizens to their evacuated northern border communities amid fears of a full-scale war in Lebanon. "After the intense phase is finished, we will have the possibility to move part of the forces north. And we will do this. First and foremost for defensive purposes. And secondly, to bring our (evacuated) residents home," the Israeli PM stated. Also read: Human shield? Israeli forces strap wounded Palestinian on hood of military vehicle during West Bank raid "If we can we will do this diplomatically. If not, we will do it another way. But we will bring (the residents) home," he added. On being asked about the post-war scenarios in Gaza, Netanyahu said Israel would maintain "military control in the foreseeable future" but that "we also want to create a civilian administration, if possible with local Palestinians" and regional backing. Hamas slams Netanyahu Hamas hit out at the Israeli prime minister stating that his remarks were a "clear confirmation of his rejection of the recent (UN) Security Council resolution and the proposal of US President Joe Biden," who called for the release of hostages and a truce deal. The Palestinian militant group then stated that any such agreement must include a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal in order to stop what it termed "Netanyahu's attempts to evade, deceive and perpetuate the aggression and war of extermination against our people". (With inputs from agencies)

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