Israel West Bank Land Grab: New Regulation Sparks Palestinian Fears

Israel Moves to Register West Bank Land, Raising Fears of Expansion and Control

Israel began a contentious process of land regulation in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, February 15, 2026, a move that could significantly expand Israeli control over the territory and pave the way for future development. The decision, announced by the Israeli government, has sparked concern among Palestinians and international observers.

The process involves resuming what is known as “settlement of land title,” which had been frozen in the West Bank since 1967, following the Middle East war. Under the new regulations, anyone claiming ownership of land within a designated area will be required to submit documentation proving their title. This process is expected to allow Israel to assert control over large swaths of the West Bank.

The move is the latest in a series of steps taken by Israel to deepen its control over the West Bank. In recent months, there has been a marked increase in construction within Jewish settlements, the legalization of previously unauthorized outposts, and bureaucratic changes designed to strengthen Israel’s hold on the territory and weaken the Palestinian Authority.

Hagit Ofran, director of Peace Now’s Settlement Watch program, described the land registration process as a potential “mega land grab” from Palestinians. She explained that the move allows the state to gain control of almost all of Area C, the 60 percent of the West Bank that is under full Israeli military control, as defined by agreements reached in the 1990s.

Palestinians are expressing alarm over the implications of the new rules, fearing they represent a step towards de facto annexation of the West Bank. The changes make it easier for Israeli citizens to purchase property in the occupied territory and increase pressure on Palestinian landowners.

The Israeli government, however, maintains that the decision is intended to increase transparency and address what it claims are “illegal land registration procedures” being advanced by the Palestinian Authority in Area C. In a statement, Israel’s Foreign Ministry did not provide evidence to support this claim.

The new regulations also extend to heritage sites in the West Bank. A bill, approved for a first reading by the Israeli Knesset’s Ministerial Committee on Legislation on February 8, 2026, aims to establish an Israeli civilian authority to govern antiquities and archaeological sites in the territory. Campaign groups argue this bill violates international law and could lead to the expropriation of land and antiquities.

Peace Now and the Geneva Initiative, along with the Israeli NGO Emek Shaveh, released a joint statement describing the heritage bill as “extraterritorial annexation” that “poses a serious threat to the viability of a negotiated two-state solution.” The groups contend that the bill violates the 1954 Hague Convention and the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibit an occupying power from making permanent institutional changes or exercising sovereign rights.

The decision regarding land registration, coupled with the proposed heritage bill, signals a significant shift in Israeli policy towards the West Bank. The moves are likely to further complicate efforts to achieve a lasting peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, and raise concerns about the future of the occupied territory.

In Hebron, Moataz Abu Sneina, director of the Ibrahimi Mosque, expressed deep concern, stating that the latest Israeli decisions represent the most serious development in the region since 1967. He fears increased Israeli control over the Old City and the Ibrahimi Mosque compound, a site of significant religious importance.