The Israeli army sealed off villages around Nablus with checkpoints and gates while settlers attacked Palestinian villages and established new outposts [1].
These actions represent a tightening of military control over the northern West Bank. Rights groups said that the restriction of Palestinian movement facilitates the expansion of illegal settlements and protects settlers during raids.
On May 26, 2024, the Israeli military implemented a system of gates and checkpoints to isolate Nablus and its surrounding areas [2]. During this period of restricted movement, Israeli settlers carried out attacks on nearby Palestinian villages [1].
Reports indicate that settler groups have used this environment to expand their footprint in the region. At least seven new illegal settlement outposts have been established in the area [1].
Rights groups said that the Israeli army is facilitating these actions by not intervening during settler attacks [1]. The military presence serves as a barrier for Palestinians but provides a security perimeter for those establishing the new outposts [2].
These developments occur amid ongoing tensions in the occupied West Bank. The establishment of outposts is often a precursor to permanent settlement growth, a process that continues to complicate diplomatic efforts in the region [1].
“At least seven new illegal settlement outposts have been established in the area.”
The coordination between military checkpoints and settler expansion suggests a strategic effort to consolidate territorial control in the northern West Bank. By restricting the movement of Palestinian residents while allowing settlers to establish outposts, the Israeli security apparatus effectively alters the demographic and physical landscape of the region, making future territorial negotiations more difficult.
