Israel Approves 19 Settler Outposts in Major Expansion in Occupied West Bank

In a significant expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli cabinet approved the legalization and establishment of several settler outposts on Thursday, according to an Israeli source close to the matter. This news was reported by CNN on its website on Sunday, December 14.

This decision allows for the establishment of 19 outposts across the West Bank, two of which had been evacuated as part of the 2005 disengagement plan.

In response to this announcement, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's spokesperson, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, stated: "Any Israeli settlement activity is illegal and constitutes a violation of international law and international legitimacy resolutions," according to the official Palestinian agency WAFA.

The outposts, in addition to being illegal under international law, are also prohibited by Israeli law. Settlers establish outposts in hopes of later obtaining permission for illegal construction. Many of the recently authorized settlements are located deep within the West Bank.

Some outposts have existed for over 20 years and house dozens of families. Others are situated in areas that settlers consider strategic for expanding and establishing new settlements in the future.

Moayyad Shaaban, head of the Palestinian Commission for Colonization and Wall Resistance, termed the decision a "dangerous escalation that reveals the true intentions of the occupying government to consolidate a system of annexation, apartheid, and complete Judaization of Palestinian lands."

This new approval, which occurred during a cabinet meeting on Thursday night, is part of a broader push by the Israeli right, including far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, to expand settlements and undermine the possibility of a Palestinian state by preventing territorial connections between Palestinian cities and communities.

The far-right Nahala movement, which advocates for the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, hailed the decision as an "impressive achievement" that would soon lead to Israeli settlements in Gaza.

In May, Israel announced the creation of 22 new settlements, which the monitoring organization Peace Now described as the largest expansion in over 30 years.

On Wednesday, Israel approved nearly 800 housing units in three different settlements in the West Bank. Peace Now stated that this was a scheme "aimed at normalizing planning in the settlements and reducing public and international attention and criticism."

Smotrich asserted that these new housing units are "part of a clear strategic process to strengthen the settlements and ensure the continuity of life, security, and growth."

The president of the Palestinian National Council, Rouhi Fattouh, stated that the decision to approve these new settlements represents a "double violation of international law," citing violations of UN resolutions and an International Court of Justice opinion declaring settlement activity illegal.

In a statement released on Friday, Fattouh added that the expansion of the settlements consolidates a policy of "gradual annexation."

Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israel reported on Saturday that it had conducted an air raid targeting a Hamas commander accused of being "one of the architects" of the October 7 attacks. The Israeli military clarified that the strike killed Raad Saad, who was responsible for weapons for Hamas's military branch and one of the last high-ranking militants still present in Gaza.

At least four people were killed and 29 others injured in the strikes, according to the director of Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital.

An Israeli military official claimed that the attack did not violate the ceasefire agreement negotiated by the United States, as Israel is "allowed to strike targets actively engaged in terrorism." It is unclear whether the United States was informed in advance of the strike or gave its approval.

In a joint statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated that the strike was ordered in response to the detonation of a Hamas explosive earlier on Saturday, which had injured Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas did not confirm or deny Saad's death but accused Israel of attempting to sabotage the ceasefire negotiated by the United States.

In a statement, Hamas referred to the strike in a civilian area as a "criminal violation" of the ceasefire agreement signed as part of former President Donald Trump's plan.