How Israeli Settlers Are Erasing West Bank Boundaries

Since the beginning of March, settlers have intensified their attacks on Palestinian villages, killing at least 13 Palestinians and displacing dozens of communities. Ziv’s recent investigation, published in Nation Magazine and +972 Magazine under the title “Erasing the Lines: How Settlers are Seizing New Regions of the West Bank”, reveals a coordinated strategy to dismantle the Oslo Accords-era divisions of the West Bank into Areas A, B, and C. These divisions were meant to pave the way for a future Palestinian state but have been systematically undermined by Israeli policies.

Under the Oslo Accords, Area C—where most settlements are located—remains under full Israeli control, while Area B is under Israeli security control with Palestinian civil administration, and Area A is supposed to be under full Palestinian control. However, Ziv explained that settlers and the Israeli government are now targeting all three areas, particularly Area B, where 12 illegal settler outposts have been established in recent months. The government has approved 34 new settlements since the publication of Ziv’s article, many of which are built on land seized from Palestinians.

Ziv highlighted how settlers, often with the support of the Israeli military, are using tactics such as land seizures, violent raids, and the establishment of illegal outposts to push Palestinians out of their homes and farming lands. These actions are not isolated incidents but part of a broader strategy to confine Palestinians to a few designated areas in the West Bank, effectively erasing the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state. As Ziv noted, “The idea is very similar to what Smotrich, Minister Smotrich, spoke about: there will not be a Palestinian state. Israel will control all the area, and Palestinians will be concentrated in six or so areas in the West Bank.”

Ziv also pointed out that the timing of these actions coincides with moments of heightened international attention, such as after the October 7 attacks and now during the conflict with Iran. “They know how to identify those moments and escalate the situation,” Ziv said. “When the world’s focus shifts, they create facts on the ground.” Since October 7, settlers have forced out approximately 60 to 70 Palestinian communities in Area C, while in recent weeks, they have expanded their operations into Area B, establishing new outposts and terrorizing villages.

Despite the violence, Palestinians and a small but determined group of Israeli activists continue to resist. Ziv described protective presence initiatives, where activists—both Israeli and international—stay in threatened villages to document abuses, deter settlers, and provide moral support. However, these efforts are increasingly met with violence. In one incident on March 27, settlers attacked two Israeli activists in the village of Kustalan, leaving them severely injured. The attackers used ATVs supplied by the government, and while some settlers were briefly arrested, no one has been held accountable.

The Israeli government’s role in these actions is undeniable. Ziv explained that settlers receive weapons, ATVs, and logistical support from the military and police, who often turn a blind eye to their crimes. “What we have is not an isolated incident,” Ziv said. “It’s the official policy.” The government’s approval of new settlements and the lack of consequences for settler violence signal a deliberate strategy to consolidate control over the West Bank.

Ziv also addressed the broader political implications of these actions. The current Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has openly stated its intention to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. As Ziv noted, “They want to make sure there’s no Palestinian state. They want to make sure that no matter what, the West Bank will be under Israeli control.” While the government avoids explicitly annexing the West Bank, its policies are effectively achieving the same result by making Palestinian life unsustainable outside of a few isolated areas.

Despite the grim outlook, Ziv remains hopeful, citing the resilience of Palestinian communities and the solidarity of activists. “When I see those brave activists, when I see those brave families, it gives me hope,” he said. “Even from the lowest point, people are still standing and insisting on staying.” However, the challenges ahead are immense. The displacement of Palestinians, the expansion of settlements, and the erosion of the Oslo Accords’ framework threaten to make any future peace process nearly impossible.

For now, the West Bank remains a battleground where the fate of Palestinians is being decided not through diplomacy but through land seizures, violence, and the systematic dismantling of their communities. As Ziv’s work and interviews make clear, the erasure of Palestinian life in the West Bank is not a distant threat but an ongoing reality, with profound consequences for the future of the region.

For further reading, Ziv’s article “Erasing the Lines: How Settlers are Seizing New Regions of the West Bank” is available on +972 Magazine and Nation Magazine. His photography and reporting can be found at orenziv.net.