West Bank witnesses an increase in Israeli outposts since October 7, according to analysis; Palestinians express concern about potential annexation.
A 46-year-old Palestinian farmer named Jihad Suleiman Al-Sawafta from the West Bank village of Bardala has been dealing with a slew of issues since Israeli settlers moved into his area in December. The settlers have reportedly taken over vast swathes of land, restricted his movement, and made it dangerous for him to tend to his crops.
Israeli forces oversee the construction of new roads, providing security for the settlers, making it practically impossible for Al-Sawafta to cross the area. The Israeli military maintains that the new road is intended for security forces and was built in accordance with a military order, stating that Palestinians living in the area were not harmed during construction.
Herding outposts like the one set up on Al-Sawafta's land are often established by Israeli settlers on hilltops with a few caravans and sometimes livestock. Monitoring groups claim these outposts are notorious for consuming enormous amounts of land and preventing Palestinian residents from moving freely. The outposts are illegal under both Israeli and international law, yet the Israeli government continues to financially support and protect them.
The number of illegal herding outposts has significantly increased since the far-right Israeli coalition came into power in 2022. These outposts have ballooned by nearly 50% since the war broke out in October 2023, according to a joint report from Peace Now and Kerem Navot, two Israeli advocacy groups that oppose settlements and track their development.
CNN partnered with the US artificial intelligence company RAIC Labs to monitor the establishment and expansion of new outposts in the West Bank. RAIC Labs used its AI-powered platform to analyze satellite imagery of the West Bank captured by Planet Labs in October 2023 and September 2024, identifying changes in the 49 outposts such as newly constructed structures, cleared areas, and emerging roads, which were then verified by CNN.
Israeli settlers and security forces are reportedly escalating their land grabs with the support of the state. Violence against Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank has also surged, causing many to flee their homes. Including outposts run by extremist Israeli settlers and settler groups that have been sanctioned under the Biden administration, these outposts now cover almost 14% of the West Bank.
CNN reached out to several Israeli parliament members for comment on the practice but did not receive a response. The IDF stated that its priority was to ensure the security of all residents in the area, adding that it works to enforce against illegal structures in Area C, which comprises about 60% of the West Bank and is fully Israeli-controlled.
- The increase in illegal herding outposts in the Middle East, such as the one on Jihad Suleiman Al-Sawafta's land, has been fueled by developments under the recent far-right Israeli coalition government.
- Despite being illegal under both Israeli and international law, these outposts continue to receive financial support and protection from the Israeli government, leading to a significant expansion across the West Bank.
- As a result of these developments, credit lines have been agreed to support Palestinian farmers like Al-Sawafta, who have been severely impacted by the expansion of these outposts, hindering their ability to graze their livestock and tend to their crops.
