Israel's defence and finance ministers have announced plans for three new illegal settlements in Gaza and more than $400 million (£300 million) in funding to expand construction in the occupied West Bank. The move comes as Israel's military commander for the region praised violent outposts as his 'security partners.'
Defence Minister's Gaza Settlement Plans
Defence Minister Israel Katz said he intended to set up three 'Nahal' outposts in northern Gaza, a type of military community that has historically paved the way for Israeli civilian settlements. Katz outlined his plans during a visit to Israeli-controlled parts of Gaza and has also pushed for the ethnic cleansing of the territory through large-scale Palestinian migration.
Finance Minister's West Bank Funding
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced 1.3 billion shekels (£318 million) in funding for dozens of new Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The cabinet allocated the money last month but kept the decision secret due to expected US opposition, according to Israeli media reports.
Military Support for Extremist Outposts
Maj Gen Avi Bluth, who commands Israeli forces in the West Bank, told residents of extremist outposts that he 'appreciates their work' and considered them partners in security with the military. Bluth, who grew up in a West Bank settlement himself, spoke at a meeting of the Farms Association, which represents settlements illegal even under Israeli law.
Violence and Annexation
'Settler violence is state violence,' the UN human rights office for Palestine said in a new report detailing how Israel uses settlers to lead annexation efforts, while systematic impunity allows violence to grow unchecked. Hagit Ofran from Peace Now said bulldozers are working on at least seven settlements that would be populated before polling day on 27 October.
Election Context
With national elections scheduled for 27 October, Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition is racing to expand control of occupied land and drive out Palestinians before its mandate expires. Dozens from Israel's political and military elite have threatened legal action over support for Jewish terrorism in the West Bank.
Nahal Outposts as Precursors
Dror Etkes of Kerem Navot said Nahal outposts are not intended for military use long-term. 'The military is only the first phase, which aims to prepare it for future settlement. All together, dozens of Israeli settlements in the West Bank were established in this way.'
Gaza Control and Casualties
Israel now controls 65% of Gaza, far beyond the 53% agreed under the ceasefire brokered by Donald Trump. Deputy Chief of Staff Maj Gen Tamir Yadai told Katz that over 70,000 terrorists had been killed, a figure that appears to label 21,000 Palestinian children as terrorists. Israel's military has acknowledged that Gaza's health authority database of war dead is broadly accurate, listing over 73,000 people by name.
