DaysofPal—The Gaza war is not just about dismantling Hamas or displacing Palestinians; Israeli occupation is also advancing plans to consolidate control over the West Bank. Israeli settlement expansion and annexation efforts have surged dramatically since October 2023, drawing global attention away from the West Bank.
Road Construction and Annexation
Netanyahu’s government has introduced legislation renaming the West Bank in Israeli law, with U.S. officials adopting the terminology to legitimize annexation. Israeli occupation is constructing hundreds of kilometers of roads, ostensibly for Palestinian infrastructure, but designed to connect settlements with Israeli occupation proper, entrenching Israeli sovereignty. In 2024 alone, $838 million was allocated for these projects, many of which violate international law, fragment Palestinian communities, and isolate them further.
Settlement Expansion
Israeli officials aim to anchor one million settlers in the West Bank. Investigations reveal that 100 kilometers of illegal roads were built during the Gaza conflict, reinforcing Israeli occupation’s dominance. Illegal outposts like Nahalat Zvi have been reestablished, with new roads constructed discreetly at night. The focus has shifted from housing units to road networks, funded by billions in government spending, reshaping the geography of the West Bank and blocking Palestinian access to land.
Settlement Farms and Land Grabs
Settlement farms receive significant government backing, with settlers seizing land using minimal presence. Roads to these farms enable rapid settler movement and facilitate land grabs while escalating Israeli crimes against Palestinians. According to Peace Now, 139 illegal roads totaling 116 kilometers were built between mid-2023 and mid-2024, many on private Palestinian land.
Government Funding
Direct government funding supports illegal roads and settlement infrastructure. In 2023, the Settlement Division spent $20.3 million on settlement farms and roads. Settlement councils received millions for road projects, strengthening control over areas like Masafer Yatta and Gush Etzion.
Impact on Palestinians
The expanding road network severely restricts Palestinian movement and access to land. Even when roads appear empty, Palestinians feel their land is being stolen. Major highway upgrades integrate settlements with Israeli cities, blurring the Green Line and solidifying Israeli control.
Key Projects
In July 2023, the Israeli occupation outlined nine road projects costing $838 million. Completed projects include the Al-Arroub and Huwara bypass roads, while the planned “Fabric of Life” road will separate Palestinian and Israeli occupation traffic. Highway 60 improvements aim to strengthen isolated settlements like Elon Moreh and Itamar through massive infrastructure investments.
This aggressive expansion underscores the Israeli occupation’s push to reshape the West Bank, making future separation nearly impossible while deepening Palestinian isolation.
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