Overview of Settlement Plans in Jerusalem Amid Ongoing Conflict
Since the escalation of violence in Gaza a year ago, the Israeli authorities have been actively reviewing and advancing settlement plans in Jerusalem, according to a recent report by the Palestinian government. The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission revealed that a total of 65 settlement plans have been studied in the city since October 7, 2023. This includes 25 plans located outside the official borders of the municipality, highlighting the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in contested areas.
The report indicates that across the West Bank, a total of 182 structural plans have been examined during the past year, aimed at constructing approximately 23,267 colonial units on a significant land area of 14,000 dunams. Notably, 6,300 of these units have already received approval. This development raises concerns about the impact on Palestinian communities and the dynamics of the ongoing conflict.
In addition to settlement expansions, the report highlights the alarming rise in violence, with the West Bank experiencing 16,663 attacks by settlers and the Israeli army over the same period. Of these, 2,771 attacks occurred in Jerusalem, indicating a troubling trend of increased hostility and aggression in the region.
Furthermore, the Wadi Hilweh Information Center for Human Rights reported incidents of settlers stealing olives from Palestinian fields in the Wadi al-Rababa neighborhood of Silwan. The settlers reportedly looted olive trees across an area of 159 dunams and assaulted a local citizen, Shadi Soumrin, during the incident. These actions contribute to the broader narrative of displacement and economic hardship faced by Palestinian communities in Jerusalem.
