Israel approves occupation of 12.7 sqkm of Palestinian land in West Bank, largest since 1993 Oslo accords

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.

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.

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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.

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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)