Israel accelerates plans for new settlements in Gaza and West Bank

The Israeli government has once again publicized plans to establish new settlements in both Gaza and the West Bank. Human rights organization Peace Now, which monitors settlement policy legally, states that Israel intends to take control of as much territory as possible before the upcoming elections on October 27.

Over the weekend, fires were set by settlers on agricultural land in Sinjil and on a mosque in a-Tuwani, in the southern Hebron mountains, in the West Bank. These events are seen as part of the settler violence that has escalated since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz has formally presented the government's plans to expand settlements and strengthen Israel's grip on occupied territory. According to The Guardian, the plans involve three military outposts in northern Gaza and seven settlements in the West Bank. This expansion occurs as Palestinians in East Jerusalem, considered occupied territory, are being gradually displaced.

Hagit Ofran of Peace Now described the actions as a "ruthless spurt" before the October 27 election. "Netanyahu's far-right coalition wants to rush to take control of land in the occupied Palestinian territories and displace Palestinians before their mandate expires," she told The Guardian.

When Katz announced the expansion plans, The Guardian reported that the government had also secretly approved the funding. Approximately 4 billion Swedish kronor (1.3 billion shekels) have been allocated for a dozen new settlements in the West Bank, with seven slated for population before election day in October. Regarding the outposts in Gaza, Finance Minister Smotrich stated that everything is prepared, awaiting only Netanyahu's approval. On Sunday, the IDF cordoned off the area for a planned demonstration titled "Thousands March to Gaza," reportedly including Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat.

Peace Now is not alone in observing an increased pace in settlement activity. Israeli organizations Kerem Navot and Standing Together share this analysis and have warned about the developments in a recent Le Monde article. Representatives from Standing Together have launched a new party intending to contest the election.

According to the IDF, Israel now controls at least 65 percent of the Gaza Strip, exceeding the 53 percent stipulated in the ceasefire agreement brokered by the U.S. in late 2025. If the plans to establish outposts in Gaza are implemented, this control could increase further.