Israel Announces Reforms to Expand Illegal Authority in West Bank
The West Bank is largely under Israeli military oversight, with the Palestinian Authority exercising limited administrative and civil control in designated areas. The region is divided into Areas A, B, and C, with Israel managing both security and civil matters in most of Area C, where the bulk of Israeli settlements are situated.
According to reports citing statements from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the reforms approved by the Cabinet on Sunday would ease restrictions on land purchases for Jewish settlers while giving Israeli authorities increased enforcement powers over Palestinian residents. The measures include abolishing long-standing rules that have previously prevented private Jewish citizens from acquiring land in the West Bank.
The changes are also reported to allow Israeli oversight of certain religious sites and to enhance monitoring and enforcement in areas under Palestinian Authority administration, particularly regarding environmental infractions, water regulation violations, and damage to archaeological locations.
These developments come in the context of a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, under which US President Donald Trump proposed a 15-member Palestinian technocrat team to oversee day-to-day governance in Gaza via a “Board of Peace.” Trump has stated that he would not permit Israel to formally annex the West Bank.
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