Philenews

After Gaza, the West Bank: Israel Moves to Annex Palestinian Land

Published February 18, 2026, 12:14
After Gaza, the West Bank: Israel Moves to Annex Palestinian Land

While Simon Aykut prepares to return to Israel, the Netanyahu government is proceeding with the official registration of large areas of the occupied West Bank as state land, with the aim of de facto annexation. The measure concerns 60% of the West Bank, where approximately 200,000 Palestinians and more Israeli settlers live. Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich spoke of a “revolution of settlement and governance.” This move raises concerns about new displacements of the Palestinian people. The lack of reaction from the international community, including Cyprus, which faces similar threats from Turkey, reinforces the impression of tolerance towards Israeli actions.