Israel has approved the largest seizure of land in the occupied West Bank in over three decades, a settlement tracking group said Wednesday, a move that could further worsen already soaring tensions linked to the ongoing war in Gaza.
Authorities recently approved the appropriation of 12.7 square kilometers (nearly 5 square miles) of land in the Jordan Valley, according to a copy of the order obtained by The Associated Press. Data from Peace Now, the tracking group, indicate it was the largest single appropriation approved since the 1993 Oslo accords at the start of the peace process.
Violence has surged in the West Bank since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack ignited the war in Gaza, with Israel carrying out near-daily military raids that often spark deadly gunbattles with Palestinian militants. Palestinians have also carried out a string of attacks on Israelis.
Move along, this is just “Israel defending itself” (according to countless Western politicians as they justified their support for Israel).