Israel Approves Largest Land Seizure in Decades

Israel has approved the largest land seizure in the occupied West Bank in over three decades, appropriating 12.7 square kilometers in the Jordan Valley, according to Peace Now. This move, which comes amidst ongoing violence and military raids linked to the Gaza war, follows earlier seizures totaling nearly 11 square kilometers in 2024, marking a peak year for such actions. Critics, including human rights defenders and U.S. lawmakers, have condemned the seizures as illegal and a significant barrier to peace, further inflaming regional tensions. The Israeli government views these actions as establishing facts on the ground to support future annexation and settlement expansion. The international community largely considers these settlements illegal or illegitimate, viewing them as obstacles to a two-state solution. The land seized is now designated as state land, prohibiting private Palestinian ownership and enabling leases to Israelis.