Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Chatham House –

Director of Chatham House UK in the World Programme gives evidence at Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee
News release
jon.wallace
10 June 2026

Olivia O’Sullivan gave evidence on the purpose and focus of the Integrated Security Fund, at a time of changing priorities for UK security.

Olivia O’Sullivan, Director of Chatham House’s UK in the World Programme, gave evidence to the UK Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on 9 June, discussing the Integrated Security Fund, which aims to tackle high-priority threats to UK security.  

During her evidence, Olivia discussed the UK’s changed strategic security outlook in the light of the massive contraction in global aid spending, and the difficult trade-offs facing the UK government.

During her evidence she examined how the UK should plan to address immediate threats and long-term, complex risks; how the UK should balance defence priorities with conflict prevention and managing new and unanticipated threats; and how the government should prevent conflict-affected states becoming neglected in the new international aid landscape.

Addressing the focus of the Integrated Security Fund, Olivia said:

‘Looking forward we do have a good opportunity here for a fund that sits in the centre to respond to the way that security is changing, to make long-term plans and long-term investment. The question I would have for government is [how can we ensure] that in the wider FCDO restructure… that doesn’t get lost.’

Watch the session in full.
 

Source: Amnesty International –

A new decree from the Taliban enabling child marriage is the latest salvo in an ongoing assault on the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, Amnesty International said in a new legal analysis.

The Decree No. 18 “Code on Judicial Separation of Spouses”, published by the Taliban in an official gazette on 14 May 2026, codifies the circumstances under which women and girls may seek separation from marriages. It includes provisions that uphold marriages arranged during childhood and restrict women’s and girls’ ability to challenge or leave such unions.

“This code further compounds the already dismal situation for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. It effectively strips them of all autonomy by eliminating any notion of consent, granting male relatives control over marital arrangements, and providing minimal avenues to challenge forced unions. Its provisions collectively institutionalize and normalize child marriage,” said Isabelle Lassee, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia.

Prior to the publication of this code, there was no single codified Taliban law specifically governing spouse separation. Marital disputes and separation were instead handled through a combination of Taliban religious decrees, interpretations of Hanafi jurisprudence (from Shariah), and informal or highly discretionary court practices controlled by Taliban judges. 

The code introduces deeply problematic standards of consent to marriage, including interpreting a girl’s silence after puberty as agreement to marriage. Such standards create an increased risk of coercion and intimidation, resulting in forced marriage. Child marriage is facilitatedby the broad authority granted to fathers and grandfathers to arrange marriages of minors, while marriages arranged by extended relatives are also recognized as legally valid under certain conditions. 

“The code reinforces a male guardianship system that centralizes authority over women’s personal lives, in violation of their status as independent rights-holders,” said Isabelle Lassee.

The decree is inconsistent with international human rights law, which guarantees protection from child and forced marriage, equality in marriage and requires clear, voluntary, and mutual consent.

Significant legal and procedural barriers are also imposed on girls seeking to contest their marriages, with challenges only permitted via court approval and after a girl has reached puberty. The decree reflects clear gender-based discrimination as men are not subjected to comparable barriers in dissolving a marriage. Men are generally able to divorce unilaterally without needing witnesses, judicial confirmation, or complex procedural requirements.

Amnesty International spoke with five experts on Afghan law about the code.

Najla Rahil, Deputy of the Independent Association of Defense Lawyers in Exile and Founder of the Women’s Identity Organization, said: “[This is] an openly misogynistic law that seriously violates the fundamental rights of women, especially those facing family-related difficulties… these regulations limit women’s freedom to choose a spouse, place decisions regarding marital suitability in the hands of men and create stringent obstacles in cases where a husband is absent or missing.”

A Defence Lawyer based in Afghanistan, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “The Taliban have once again demonstrated that their approach toward women and children is based on restricting freedoms, undermining fundamental rights, and reinforcing traditional patriarchal structures. These regulations reflect an effort to normalize and legitimize practices that limit the independence, autonomy, and human dignity of women and girls.”

Amnesty International is calling on the international community to take immediate action, through diplomatic pressure and principled engagement with the Taliban de-facto authorities, to demand the reversal of all draconian laws and regulations, reinstatement of a formal legal system, protection of human rights and the rule of law in Afghanistan.

Background

Prior to August 2021, Afghanistan’s civil code set the legal marriage age for girls at 16, while marriages involving girls under the age of 15 were criminalized under the 2009 Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) law. Afghanistan also had legal and institutional mechanisms aimed at addressing violence and discrimination against women and girls, including family courts, specialized units within the Attorney General’s Office and Ministry of Interior, and a high-level commission tasked with addressing violence against women, child marriage, and family separation matters.

While these protections were often inconsistently implemented and significant barriers remained, they nonetheless provided women and girls with some legal avenues for protection and access to justice. Today, these laws and institutional structures have been dismantled by the Taliban and replaced with deeply discriminatory and repressive systems that further entrench gender inequality and restrict women’s rights and autonomy.

These measures form part of a broader pattern of escalating restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights, including barriers to education, employment, and participation in public life.

The legal and formal justice system in Afghanistan collapsed after the Taliban’s return to power and, in November 2022, the Taliban Supreme leader issued an obligatory order for full implementation of Shariah law in Afghanistan.

According to media reports referring to UN reports, since their return to power in August 2021, The Taliban have issued over 470 decrees, directives and orders out of which 79 have specifically targeted women and girls.

Source: Amnesty International –

Source: Amnesty International –

• Significant escalation in speed and scale of annexation measures under Israel’s current government 

• Ethnic cleansing campaign is state-led, and state-sponsored, not driven by rogue settlers or so-called extremist ministers 

• Exponential rise in state-backed settler violence terrorizing and expelling thousands of Palestinians to annex land  

• Communities still at critical risk of displacement, those uprooted must be protected  

• States must halt trade, cooperation and investment relations enabling unlawful occupation, apartheid, ethnic cleansing and impose sanctions on implicated officials  

The international community’s tacit or explicit support for Israeli crimes, including genocide and apartheid, or their failure to act resolutely to stop them has emboldened the Israeli authorities to escalate a brutal campaign to forcibly displace Palestinians and expand its control over land in the West Bank, said Amnesty International. In a new report, the organization details how Israeli authorities are accelerating annexation through a state-driven campaign of ethnic cleansing targeting Palestinian Bedouin and herding communities in Area C of the occupied West Bank, while committing the crime against humanity of forcible transfer. 

The report, “Erasing anything Palestinian: Israel’s ethnic cleansing of West Bank Bedouin and herding communities”, exposes how the Israeli government has made formal annexation an explicit policy objective. It is implementing the settler movement’s religious nationalist agenda. It has accelerated settlement expansion and land grabs, increased financial and logistical support to settlements, and it has armed settlers, thereby enabling a brutal state-sanctioned campaign of settler violence and of forced displacement of Palestinians from Area C. This area constitutes over 60% of the occupied West Bank and has long been central to Israel’s efforts to control land and demographics, given its natural resources, vital grazing and agricultural land, and relatively small Palestinian population. 

“Over the past three and a half years Israeli authorities have accelerated a state-sponsored campaign of ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, uprooting, dispossessing and forcibly transferring Palestinian communities. This is not the work of rogue actors or what the international community has repeatedly labelled as extremist settlers, organizations or one or two ministers. What we are witnessing is deliberate, state-led annexation, in complete violation of international law unfolding before the eyes of the entire world,” said Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General. 

“Our report exposes that these abuses are not the result of a few ‘bad apples’. Settler violence is a core component of a state-sanctioned campaign of ethnic cleansing, central to maintaining Israel’s system of apartheid.” 

What we are witnessing is deliberate, state-led annexation, in complete violation of international law unfolding before the eyes of the entire world

 Agnès Callamard, Secretary General

Amnesty International’s research shows Palestinians are being forcibly erased from their ancestral lands, cut off from their livelihoods, and terrorized into fleeing their homes amidst an unprecedented surge in settler attacks, openly condoned and actively facilitated by an Israeli government that boasts of its intent to formally annex large swathes of Palestinian land.  

Communities across the Jordan Valley and South Hebron Hills facing displacement continue to resist, determined to remain on the land they have inhabited for generations. Amnesty International is calling on the international community to act urgently to protect them. 

Yet despite states’ clear legal obligations to act to bring an end to Israel’s unlawful occupation and system of apartheid, the international community has repeatedly failed to act. 

“The international community has either been complicit in or far too passive in the face of Israel’s repeated and gross violations of international law, and its flouting of UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. It must clearly signal that the era of tacit acquiescence to Israel’s ethnic cleansing and annexation is over,” said Agnès Callamard.  

At least 117 predominantly Bedouin and herding Palestinian communities have faced either full or partial displacement between January 2023 and April 2026, according to OCHA.  By the end of April 2026, at least 5,910 people had been forcibly displaced, according to UN data.   

This has occurred amid an unprecedented surge in acts of state-backed settler violence. By the end of April 2026, Israeli settlers had established 363 outposts in the occupied West Bank, according to the NGO Peace Now. Of these, as many as 212 were created since 2023, with Israeli authorities actively encouraging them, and taking almost no action to dismantle them, even though they are illegal under both Israeli and international law. They included scores of herding outposts, which are used by settlers to take over large areas of Palestinian land through grazing. This comes on top of land grabs by the Israeli government. Nearly 58% of the land in Area C is unregistered, and by February 2026, Israeli authorities had already seized half of this unregistered land through state land declarations. 

To world leaders who repeatedly say they oppose annexation but do nothing to stop it: know that your inaction is directly fuelling crimes against humanity

 Agnès Callamard, Secretary General

“To world leaders that have framed the annexation and settler violence as isolated acts of ‘extremist’ settlers or ministers and imposed limited sanctions against some individuals or organizations, Amnesty’s report must be a wake-up call:  these limited measures are woefully insufficient to address the state campaign of ethnic cleansing and the systemic violations that have been rapidly increasing before the eyes of the international community,” said Agnès Callamard. 

“To world leaders who repeatedly say they oppose annexation but do nothing to stop it: know that your inaction is directly fuelling crimes against humanity and has global consequences further eroding the rules-based international order. 

“States, particularly those with influence over Israel, including the USA, the UK, Germany, as well as Italy and other EU and Arab states, must immediately ban all trade, investment and any form of cooperation or financial assistance that contribute to Israel’s unlawful occupation, system of apartheid and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. 

“In addition, all states, must impose targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, against Israeli officials directly implicated in these acts, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister for Settlement and National Missions Orit Strock and Defense Minister Israel Katz. 

Amnesty International researched 27 Bedouin and herding communities in Area C that were forcibly displaced between 2023 and 2025 or are at risk of displacement.  

The research team interviewed 45 Palestinians from 12 communities, who were either displaced or at risk of displacement, as well as 19 lawyers, activists who witnessed incidents of settler violence, journalists and Israeli and Palestinian NGO representatives. The organization also verified more than 420 videos and images, and conducted analysis of official government statements, agreements, legislation, governance changes, court records, maps, satellite imagery, UN and civil society reports, and other open-source material.  

The organization shared its findings with the Israeli authorities on 13 May. The Ministry of Defense responded on 23 May stating that its forces respond to incidents of settler violence, arresting suspects, when necessary, and investigating cases where forces may have failed to comply with orders or failed to intervene to stop settler violence. Evidence documented by Amnesty International presents a different reality. 

Source: Amnesty International –

Footnotes

^[1] Area C covers the majority of the West Bank and is under full Israeli military and administrative control, including land registration, planning and zoning. It is the area where most settlement construction is based.

^[2] Amnesty International, Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians: Cruel System of Domination and Crime Against Humanity (Index: MDE 15/5141/2022), 1 February 2022, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/5141/2022/en

^[3] Until Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005, 21 settlements existed there with a population of approximately 8,000 settlers. Most were subsequently moved into settlements in the West Bank. Since 7 October 2023, some Israeli government officials have openly called for the re-establishment of settlements in Gaza.

^[4] According to Yesha Council, the settler population in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, reached 540,327 in January 2026. Yesha Council, “Population report 2026”, on file with Amnesty International. According to Peace Now, the number of Israeli settlers in East Jerusalem stood at approximately 233,000 in 2023. Peace Now, “Jerusalem Population”, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements-watch/settlements-data/jerusalem (accessed on 2 June 2026). In addition, several hundred settlers live in the heart of the Old City of Hebron in an area known as H2, hugely impacting the rights of its Palestinian residents. United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Report: Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Including East Jerusalem, and the Occupied Syrian Golan, 25 September 2025, UN Doc. A/80/399.

^[5] According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), more than 3.4 million Palestinians live in the West Bank. PCBS, Population, https://www.pcbs.gov.ps/en (accessed on 21 April 2026).

^[6] According to Peace Now, by April 2026, there were 148 settlements in the West Bank excluding East Jerusalem. This figure does not include outposts legalized as settlements since 2023. Peace Now, “Settlements and Outposts Peace Now 12.2025”, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Hs_JdYPEs4oXs09zG3Hd4tWBpYo0ImkJ6WuXAEgMi0U/edit?gid=0#gid=0, (accessed on 3 June 2026). In addition, by the end of 2023, there were 15 Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem. See Peace Now, “Jerusalem Population”, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements-watch/settlements-data/jerusalem (accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[7]Peace Now, “Settlements and Outposts Peace Now 12.2025”, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Hs_JdYPEs4oXs09zG3Hd4tWBpYo0ImkJ6WuXAEgMi0U/edit (accessed on 3 June 2026).

^[8]Amnesty International, Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians (previously cited), p. 142.

^[9]Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Populations in Time of War (1949), Article 49, para. 6.

^[10] Fourth Geneva Convention, Article 147, para. 6.

^[11] Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Rome Statute), Article 8(2)(a)(iv) and Article 8(b)(viii).

^[12] Yesha Council, “Population report 2026” (previously cited).

^[13] The Oslo Accords also established Areas A and B where the newly created Palestinian Authority obtained varying degrees of control. Area A, which accounts for only 18% of the West Bank, has since been under full Palestinian control. In Area B, which comprises 22% of the West Bank, Palestinian authorities maintain full administrative control but share security control with Israel. These areas included Palestinian towns and villages where 90% of the Palestinian population lived at the time. Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, Israeli Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, 28 September 1995, https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-185434

^[14] Al-Haq, “Establishing guidelines to determine whether the legal status of ‘Area C’ in the Occupied Palestinian Territory represents annexed territory under international law”, 17 July 2020, establishing-guidlines-executive-summary-1638858249.pdf, p.4.

^[15] UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory (OCHA), “Area C humanitarian response plan fact sheet”, August 2010, https://www.ochaopt.org/sites/default/files/ocha_opt_area_c_humanitarian_response_plan_fact_sheet_2010_09_03_english.pdf

^[16] B’Tselem, The Jordan Valley, https://www.btselem.org/jordan_valley

^[17] Avi Shlaim, The Iron Wall, Israel and the Arab World, 2000, pp. 256-258.

^[18] The most recent estimate of the Palestinian population in Area C was carried in 2013 through an OCHA-led inter-agency assessment. OCHA, Area C: Vulnerability Profile, 5 March 2014, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/spotlight-area-c-vulnerability-profile 

^[19] Amnesty International, Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians, (previously cited) p. 157.

^[20] Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), “State of Palestine: Israel’s Discriminatory Administration of the Occupied West Bank, Including East Jerusalem”, 6 January 2026, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/countries/israel/infographics-israel-discriminatory-administ.pdf

^[21] United Nations Country Team, Common Country Analysis for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, November 2022, https://palestine.un.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/United%20Nations%20Common%20Country%20Analysis%20for%20the%20Occupied%20Palestinian%20Territory.pdf, p. 102. 

^[22] In addition to becoming refugees in the West Bank, many other Palestinians from Bedouin communities were internally displaced in 1948 and remained in the Negev/Naqab in the newly created Israeli state. Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights (Badil), “Ongoing Israeli colonial expansion: Forcible transfer of Palestinian Bedouin and refugee communities”, 21 August 2025, https://badil.org/press-releases/16109.html 

^[23] Other components of Israel’s system of oppression and domination include territorial fragmentation; the denial of economic and social rights; and legal segregation and control through restrictions on the right to political participation, movement, measures that disrupt family life, and the denial of nationality and residence. For a more detailed analysis, see Amnesty International, Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians (previously cited).

^[24] International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid. Other inhuman or inhumane acts examined by Amnesty International include administrative detention, torture, unlawful killings, serious injuries and the denial of basic rights and persecution.

^[25] Amnesty International, Targeting Civilians: Murder, Hostage-Taking and Other Violations by Palestinian Armed Groups in Israel and Gaza (Index: MDE 15/0282/2025), 11 December 2025, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/0282/2025/en

^[26] Amnesty International, ‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza (Index: MDE 15/8668/2024), 5 December 2024, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/8668/2024/en; Amnesty International, “Israel’s systematic destruction of high-rise buildings must be investigated as war crimes of wanton destruction and collective punishment”, 12 May 2026, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/05/israel-opt-israels-systematic-destruction-of-high-rise-buildings-must-be-investigated-as-war-crimes-of-wanton-destruction-and-collective-punishment

^[27] OCHA, “Reported impact snapshot”, 29 April 2026, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/reported-impact-snapshot-gaza-strip-29-april-2026

^[28] Palestine News and Info Agency (Wafa), “Gaza death toll rises to 72,594 amid ongoing Israeli attacks”, 28 April 2026, https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/169885

^[29] Amnesty International, “Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza continues unabated despite ceasefire”, 27 November 2025, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/11/israels-genocide-against-palestinians-in-gaza-continues-unabated-despite-ceasefire

^[30] OCHA, Data on Casualties, https://www.ochaopt.org/data/casualties (accessed on 11 May 2026), “Palestinian fatalities”.

^[31] Amnesty International, ‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’ (previously cited).

^[32] OHCHR, “UN Human Rights in Occupied Palestinian Territory: 1001 Palestinians killed in West Bank since 7 October 2023 – one in five are children”, 17 October 2025, https://www.un.org/unispal/document/ohchr-press-release-17oct25

^[33] OHCHR, “UN Human Rights in Occupied Palestinian Territory: 1001 Palestinians killed in West Bank since 7 October 2023 – one in five are children” (previously cited).

^[34] Amnesty International, “Shocking spike in use of unlawful lethal force by Israeli forces against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank”,5 February 2024, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/02/shocking-spike-in-use-of-unlawful-lethal-force-by-israeli-forces-against-palestinians-in-the-occupied-west-bank; Human Rights Watch, “West Bank: Israeli forces’ unlawful killings of Palestinians”, 8 May 2024, https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/05/08/west-bank-israeli-forces-unlawful-killings-palestinians

^[35] OHCHR, “UN Human Rights in Occupied Palestinian Territory: 1001 Palestinians killed in West Bank since 7 October 2023 – one in five are children” (previously cited).

^[36] Israeli Army Spokesperson, כך נראתה שנת 2025 בפיקוד המרכז – במספרים [“This is what 2025 looked like in Central Command — in numbers”], 19 January 2026, https://www.idf.il/328784 (in Hebrew).

^[37] Amnesty International, “Horrifying cases of torture and degrading treatment of Palestinian detainees amid spike in arbitrary arrests”, 8 November 2023, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/11/israel-opt-horrifying-cases-of-torture-and-degrading-treatment-of-palestinian-detainees-amid-spike-in-arbitrary-arrests

^[38] OCHA, “West Bank| Monthly snapshot: casualties, property damage and displacement”, 21 April 2026, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/west-bank-monthly-snapshot-casualties-property-damage-and-displacement-march-2026

^[39] “West Bank | Monthly snapshot: casualties, property damage and displacement”, 31 March 2026, https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/west-bank-l-monthly-snapshot-casualties-property-damage-and-displacement-31-march-2026 

^[40] United Nations Satellite Centre, Comprehensive Damage Assessment and Security Analysis of Tulkarm, Nur Shams and Jenin Refugee Camps in Tulkarm and Jenin Governorates, West Bank, Occupied Palestinian Territory, 6 November 2025, https://unosat.org/static/unosat_filesystem/4216/OCHA-CBPF-OPT-034_UNOSAT_CE20231007PSE_WestBank_RefugeeCamps_CDA_SA_20251016.pdf

^[41] Palestinians were also displaced from Jenin refugee camp in December 2024 as a result of an operation launched by Palestinian security services. OCHA, “Humanitarian situation update #339 | West Bank”, 12 November 2025, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-situation-update-339-west-bank

^[42] OCHA, Breakdown of Data on Demolition and Displacement in the West Bank, https://tinyurl.com/2e5bvv5n (accessed on 11 May 2026).

^[43] UN Palestine, “Escalating forced evictions in Batn al‑Hawa, Silwan: 16 families removed in one week”, 27 March 2026, https://palestine.un.org/en/312611-escalating-forced-evictions-batn-al%E2%80%91hawa-silwan-16-families-removed-one-week 

^[44] Peace Now, “The government promotes the plans in Atarot and Sheikh Jarrah”, 11 January 2025, https://peacenow.org.il/en/atarot-and-um-haroun 

^[45] Amnesty International, “ICJ opinion declaring Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories unlawful is historic vindication of Palestinians’ rights”, 19 July 2024, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/07/icj-opinion-declaring-israels-occupation-of-palestinian-territories-unlawful-is-historic-vindication-of-palestinians-rights

^[46] International Court of Justice (ICJ), Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem, advisory opinion, 19 July 2024.

^[47] Amnesty International, “Israel’s systematic destruction of high-rise buildings must be investigated as war crimes of wanton destruction and collective punishment” (previously cited).

^[48] Amnesty International, Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians (previously cited).

^[49] Amnesty International, Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians (previously cited).

^[50] Amnesty International, “Israel/OPT: 10 things you need to know about ‘annexation’”, 2 July 2020, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/07/israelopt-10-things-you-need-to-know-about-annexation

^[51] State of Israel, Basic Law: Jerusalem, Capital of Israel, passed on 30 July 1980, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawprimary.aspx?t=lawlaws&st=lawlawsbasic&lawitemid=2000045 (in Hebrew), Article 1. An English translation is available at: State of Israel, Knesset, Basic-Law: Jerusalem the Capital of Israel, 2022, https://m.knesset.gov.il/EN/activity/documents/BasicLawsPDF/BasicLawJerusalem.pdf

^[52] State of Israel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Israel, the conflict and peace: answers to frequently asked questions – updated December 2009”, 30 December 2009,

https://www.gov.il/en/pages/faq_peace_process_with_palestinians_dec_2009#D1-Occupied

^[53] “Greater Israel” refers to an ideology that treats the area extending from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River, including the entirety of the OPT as an integral part of Israel. 

^[54] International Crisis Group, Sovereignty in All but Name: Israel’s Quickening Annexation of the West Bank, 9 October 2025, https://www.crisisgroup.org/rpt/middle-east-north-africa/israelpalestine/252-sovereignty-all-name-israels-quickening-annexation-west-bank

^[55] Peace Now, “30 years after Oslo – The data that shows how the settlements proliferated following the Oslo Accords”, 11 September 2023, https://peacenow.org.il/en/30-years-after-oslo-the-data-that-shows-how-the-settlements-proliferated-following-the-oslo-accords

^[56] B’Tselem, State Business: Israel’s Misappropriation of Land in the West Bank through Settler Violence, November 2021, https://www.btselem.org/sites/default/files/publications/202111_state_business_eng.pdf, p. 6.

^[57] For details and emblematic cases, see section 5.6: “Israel’s response to settler attacks: impunity and active support”.

^[58] ICJ, Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, advisory opinion (previously cited), para. 158.

^[59] Charter of the UN, Article 2, para. 4.

^[60] The Hague Regulations, Article 43.

^[61] ICJ, Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Advisory Opinion, 2004, para. 87.

^[62] Fourth Geneva Convention, Article 47.

^[63] The ICJ also considered the “proclamation of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital [and] the comprehensive application of Israeli domestic law in East Jerusalem” as acts of annexation. ICJ, Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Including East Jerusalem, advisory opinion (previously cited), para. 173.

^[64] ICJ, Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, advisory opinion (previously cited), para. 252.

^[65] Likud and Jewish Power, הסכם קואליציוני לכינון ממשלה לאומית [“Coalition agreement to form a national government”], 28 December 2022, on file with Amnesty International (in Hebrew); Likud and Religious Zionism, הסכם קואליציוני לכינון ממשלה לאומית [“Coalition agreement to form a national government”], 28 December 2022, on file with Amnesty International (in Hebrew).

^[66] In 2018, Israel passed the “nation state law” (formally known as Basic Law: Israel – The Nation State of the Jewish People), which defined Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people and constitutionally entrenched inequality and discrimination against non-Jews. State of Israel, Basic Law: Israel – The Nation State of the Jewish People, passed on 19 July 2018, 20_lsr_504220.pdf
An English translation is available at: State of Israel, Knesset, Basic Law: Israel – The Nation State of the Jewish People, 2018, knesset.gov.il/laws/special/eng/BasicLawNationState.pdf

^[67] Adalah, “New Israeli government’s guidelines”, 1 October 2023, https://www.adalah.org/uploads/uploads/Guiding_principles_government.pdf

^[68] Likud and Religious Zionism, הסכם קואליציוני לכינון ממשלה לאומית [“Coalition agreement to form a national government”] (previously cited).

^[69] The Settlement Administration was established in February 2023. See section 4.4.1: “Concentrating powers in the hands of dedicated Settlement Administration”.

^[70] The four settlements in the West Bank include: Ganim, Kadim, Sa-Nur and Homesh. The agreement also calls for the reversal of disengagement policies in the Gaza Strip. State of Israel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Cabinet Resolution regarding the Disengagement Plan, 6 June 2004, https://www.gov.il/en/pages/the-cabinet-resolution-regarding-the-disengagement-plan-6-jun-2004

^[71] Likud and Jewish Power, הסכם קואליציוני לכינון ממשלה לאומית [“Coalition agreement to form a national government”] (previously cited).

^[72] State of Israel, Knesset, The Penal Code, 1977, https://tinyurl.com/4j47kuma (in Hebrew).

^[73] See also: Jerusalem Post, “‘Dromi Law’ passes final reading in Knesset plenum”, 24 June 2008, https://www.jpost.com/israel/dromi-law-passes-final-reading-in-knesset-plenum

^[74] See also State of Israel, Ministry of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, 31 May 2022, (updated on 13 July 2023), https://www.gov.il/en/pages/minister.

For more details about Regavim’s activities, see section 6.2: “Zanuta, South Hebron Hills”.

^[75] COGAT is a unit within the Israeli military responsible for implementing civil policies in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip and for coordination with the Palestinian authorities [Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories. The Civil Administration is the military unit responsible for Israel’s civil policy in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem. See: Government of Israel, The Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria, https://www.gov.il/en/departments/civil_authority_in_judea_and_samaria

^[76] State of Israel, Basic Law: The Government, 27 December 2022, Gov_Docs_gov37_basic37.pdf (in Hebrew); Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office, “PM Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant and minister in the Defense Ministry Smotrich sign document of understandings”, 23 February 2023, https://www.gov.il/en/pages/event-understanding230223

^[77] SBS News, “Who are Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, the Israeli ministers sanctioned by Australia?”, 11 June 2025, https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/who-are-ben-gvir-and-bezalel-smotrich-the-israeli-ministers-sanctioned-by-australia/7c1q8nrzv

^[78] Benjamin Netanyahu, X post: בניגוד לציוצים, הבנייה וההסדרה ביהודה ושומרון יימשכו בהתאם ללו״ז התכנון והבנייה המקורי, ללא שום שינוי. אין ולא תהיה שום הקפאה [“Contrary to tweets, construction and regulation in Judea and Samaria will continue according to the original planning and construction schedule, without any changes. There is not, and will not be, any freeze”], 26 February 2023, https://x.com/netanyahu/status/1629913024998907906; Bezalel Smotrich, X post: אין לי מושג על מה דיברו או לא דיברו בירדן [“I have no idea what they did or did not talk about in Jordan”], 26 February 2023, https://x.com/bezalelsm/status/1629882672305655809

^[79] Israel News, השרה סטרוק: המתיישבים יצאו בשליחותנו להעמיק את האחיזה בשטח [“Minister Strock: the settlers went out on a mission in our name in order to deepen our grip to the land”], 14 February 2023, https://tinyurl.com/59dz4jkx

^[80] Arutz Sheva, יוכפל התקציב למעקב אחר בנייה פלסטינית. השרה סטרוק: שומרים על הארץ שלנו מפני השתלטות עוינת [“Budget to monitor Palestinian construction to be doubled. Minister Strock: We’re protecting our land from hostile takeover”], 4 April 2023, https://www.inn.co.il/news/597547

^[81] International Crisis Group, Sovereignty in All but Name (previously cited).

^[82] Bezalel Smotrich, X post: 2025 – שנת הריבונות ביהודה ושומרון [“2025 the year of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria”], 11 November 2024, https://x.com/bezalelsm/status/1855974693078962367?s=20  

^[83] Arutz Sheva, השר דיכטר לראשי מועצת יש”ע: הגיע הזמן להחלת הריבונות בשטחי יו”ש [“Minister Dichter to heads of Yesha Council: It’s time to apply sovereignty to Judea and Samaria”], 23 March 2025, https://www.inn.co.il/news/664652

^[84] Israel 365 News, “Israeli Leaders Push for Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, Citing Security and Peace”, 3 December 2024, https://israel365news.com/398336/israeli-leaders-push-for-sovereignty-in-judea-and-samaria-citing-security-and-peace

^[85] The Israeli disengagement from Gaza in 2005 was a unilateral move by Israel to withdraw its military presence and dismantle all Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, as well as four settlements in the northern West Bank.

^[86] Times of Israel, “Defense minister confirms government approval of 22 new West Bank settlements”, 29 May 2025, https://www.timesofisrael.com/defense-ministry-confirms-government-approval-of-22-new-west-bank-settlements

^[87] These 17 are part of the 22 settlements declared in May 2025. See: Peace Now, “The Cabinet decided on the establishment of 22 New settlements in the West Bank”, 29 May 2025, https://peacenow.org.il/en/cabinet-decision-22-settlements

^[88] Channel 14, לקראת החלת ריבונות ביו”ש? נתניהו: נבנה ונאחז בחלקי מולדתנו [“Towards sovereignty in Judea and Samaria? Netanyahu: we will build and hold on to the parts of our homeland”], 27 August 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nR9AZvW2N4 

^[89] Israel’s Prime Minister, שידור חי: רה”מ נתניהו בטקס חתימת הסכם גג במעלה אדומים [“Live: Prime Minister Netanyahu in ceremony of signing roof agreement in Ma’ale Adumim”], 11 September 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YILM0nXbdoI&t=2292s; The Times of Israel, “‘There will be no Palestinian state’: Netanyahu signs plan for E1 settlement expansion”, 11 September 2025, https://www.timesofisrael.com/there-will-be-no-palestinian-state-pm-signs-plan-cementing-e1-settlement-expansion

^[90] INN, השר בן גביר לנתניהו: לא מחכים לאירופה – ריבונות היא צו השעה [“Ben-Gvir to Netanyahu: ‘Don’t wait for Europe. Sovereignty is the order of the day’”], 15 September 2025, https://www.inn.co.il/news/678932

^[91] Channel 14, סמוטריץ’ חושף את מפת הריבונות: סיפוח 82% מהשטח ביו”ש [“Smotrich reveals the sovereignty map: annexing 82% of the land”], 3 September 2025, https://www.c14.co.il/article/1311351

^[92] JDN, מקסימום שטח על מינימום אוכלוסייה: זו מפת הריבונות ביו”ש [“Maximum land and minimum population: this is the map of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria“], 3 September 2025, https://www.jdn.co.il/news/2473708

^[93] Al Jazeera English, “Israel’s Smotrich promises ‘a million’ new settlers under expansion plan”, 28 June 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzMcFWIuCeA

^[94] Yesh Din, Annexation Legislation Database, https://www.yesh-din.org/en/legislation/ (accessed on 3 June 2026).

^[95] The bill lists 15 settlements: Beit El, Adam, Kochav Ya’akov, Tell Tzion, Psagot, Migron, Givat Assaf, Ofra, Amona, Ma’ale Levona, Shilo, Shvut Rachel and Eli. Michel Buskila, Bill: Center Benyamin Bloc – 2023, proposed on 2 January 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2197187

^[96] The bill lists 13 settlements: Karnei Shomron, Kedumim, Itamar, Bracha, Elon Moreh, Yizhar, Ma’ale Shomron, Shavei Shomron, Einav, Sebastia, Homesh, Sa-Nur, Gannim and Kadim. Michel Buskila, Bill: Heart of Samaria Bill – 2023, proposed on 2 January 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2196996

^[97] The bill lists 10 settlements including Bet Arye, Ofarim, Elkana, Oranit, Alfei Menashe, Sha’arei Tikva, Etz Efrayim, Sal’it, Avne Hefetz, Alei Zahav and Tzofim. Michel Buskila, Bill: Western Samaria Bill – 2023, proposed on 2 January 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2197191

^[98] The bill lists 16 settlements including Modi’in Illit, Har Adar, Giv’at Ze’ev, Givon Hahadasha, Bet Horon, Mevo Horon, Nili, Na’ale, Mattityahu, Hashmonaim, Kfar HaOranim, Talmon and its neighbours Dolev, Nahaliel, Ateret and Neve Tzuf. Michel Buskila, Bill: Heart of Modi’in Bloc – 2023, proposed on 2 January 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2196993

^[99] The bill lists Kiryat Arba and settlements in the Mount Hebron Regional Council. Michel Buskila, Bill: Hebron and Its Daughters Bill – 2023, proposed on 2 January 2023,  https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2197060

^[100] Avigdor Liberman and others, Bill: Applying sovereignty over Ma’ale Adumim – 2025, proposed on 9 June 2025, https://main.knesset.gov.il/apps/legislation/main/bills/2231986

^[101] Eleven settlements are listed in the Ariel bloc including Ariel, Immanuel, Revava, Barkan, Yaqir, Nofim, Bruchin, Kfar Tapuah, Rechelim, Nofei Nehemia and Kiryat Netafim. Michel Buskila, Bill: Ariel Bloc – 2023, proposed on 2 January 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2197194

^[102] At least two bills list 11 settlements as part of the southern West Bank area: Carmel, Susiya, Beit Yatir, Ma’on, Tene Omarim, Otniel, Ma’aleh Hever, Beit Hagai, Avigayil, Shani and Livneh. See for example: Limor Son Har-Melech, Bill: Negev Development Authority (Amendment: Negev Definition), proposed on 1 April 2024, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2210285

^[103] The bill lists the following settlements: Beitar Illit, Ma’ale Adumim, Giv’at Ze’ev, Mevaseret Zion, Gush Etzion, Efrat, Kfar Adumim, Alon, Nofei Prat, Kedar, Ma’ale Mikhmas and Mitzpe Yeriho. Zeev Elkin, Bill: Applying Israeli Sovereignty Over Greater Jerusalem, proposed on 27 February 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2201433  

^[104] Four bills propose to annex the Jordan Valley including all areas controlled by Israeli settlements and unauthorized outposts within it, industrial zones serving them, archaeological sites and access roads. See for example: Dan Illouz and others, Bill: Applying Israeli Sovereignty over the Jordan Valley, proposed on 20 May 2024, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2217080

^[105] Dan Illouz, Bill: Applying Israeli Sovereignty over Judea and Samaria Regions, proposed on 29 March 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2202971

^[106] Avichay Avraham Buaron, Bill: Amendment of the Law and Administration Ordinance (Legislation in the Area by Order), proposed on 26 July 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2208797

^[107] State of Israel, Knesset, Law to Extend the Emergency Regulations (Judea and Samaria – Jurisdiction and Legal Aid), 5727-1967.

^[108] For example, Tzvi Sukkot, Bill: Communities and Neighborhoods Undergoing Regularisation – 2024, proposed on 11 April 2024, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2222508  

^[109] Simcha Rothman, Bill: Correction of Terms in Legislation Bill (Judea and Samaria) – 2024, proposed on 12 September 2024, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2224619

^[110] Danny Danon, Bill: National Parks, Nature Reserves, National Sites and Memorial Sites Law (Amendment)- 2023, proposed on 6 March 2023, main.knesset.gov.il/Activity/Legislation/Laws/Pages/LawBill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2198091

^[111] For example: Nissim Vaturi, Bill: Land Transactions (Observance of the Sabbatical Year) (Amendment – Applying the law to Judea and Samaria) – 2023, proposed on 27 February 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2199754

^[112] Mishel Buskila, Bill: World Zionist Organization –- Jewish Agency for Israel Status Law (Amendment) – 2023, proposed on 20 February 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2201417

^[113] Mishel Buskila, Bill: Connecting Houses in Young Settlements to the Electrical Grid – 2023, proposed on 20 February 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/LawBill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2201442

^[114] Sharren Haskel, Bill: Preventing Palestinian Authority Residents from Taking Over Area C – 2023, proposed on 2 January 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2196806

^[115] Amit Halevi, Bill: Israel Antiquities Authority (Amendment – Power of the Israel Antiquities Authority in Judea and Samaria) Bill – 2023, proposed on 13 February 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2200570

^[116] The Disengagement Plan Implementation Law (2005) regulated Israel’s withdrawal of all military and civilian presence from the occupied Gaza Strip, as well as the dismantling of four Israeli settlements in the northern West Bank. See: UN Peacemaker, “The Disengagement Plan – General Outline”, 18 April 2004, https://peacemaker.un.org/sites/default/files/document/files/2024/05/israeloptdisengagementplan2004.pdf; https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2198761

^[117] State of Israel, Knesset, “Knesset Plenum passes bill to change name of Disengagement Plan Implementation Law, repeal clauses banning Israelis from entering or staying in evacuated areas in northern Samaria”, 21 March 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/en/news/pressreleases/pages/press21323q.aspx

^[118] Israel Defense Forces, The Civil Administration,הודעה על מתן הרשאה לתכנון על ידי הממונה על הרכוש הממשלתי והנטוש [“Notice on granting permit to plan by the Custodian of Government and Abandoned Property”], 21 December 2023, https://tinyurl.com/3cezje8n

^[119] Peace Now, “Israel’s security cabinet decided to establish 19 new settlements”, 15 December 2025, https://peacenow.org.il/en/israels-security-cabinet-decided-to-establish-19-new-settlements; Times of Israel, “Construction masterplan for formerly-evacuated West Bank settlement gets preliminary ok”, 1 January 2026, https://www.timesofisrael.com/construction-masterplan-for-formerly-evacuated-west-bank-settlement-gets-preliminary-approval/  

^[120] For more details about these decisions, see section 4.4: “Implementing the settler movement’s vision: new government measures towards annexation and settlement expansion”.

^[121] Unlike primary legislation, cabinet decisions are not subject to a parliamentary vote. In cases of conflict, they can be overridden by primary legislation. As administrative decisions, they are subject to judicial review by the Israeli Supreme Court. Under international law, however, Israel is not authorized to implement either its primary legislation or its cabinet decisions and government bylaws in the occupied West Bank, unless necessary for the protection of the protected population, as stipulated under Article 43 of the Hague Regulations.

^[122] Hague Regulations, Article 43.

^[123] Amnesty International, Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians (previously cited), p. 79.

^[124] State of Israel, Government, המנהל האזרחי ביהודה ושומרון ]”The Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria”], gov.il/he/departments/civil_ administration_in_judea_and_samaria/govil-landing-page;

Yesh Din, “Through the lens of Israel’s interests: The Civil Administration in the West Bank”, December 2017, s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/files.yesh-din.org/Minhal+Ezrahi/ YeshDin+-+Haminhal+-+English.pdf  

^[125] Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office, ראש הממשלה, שר הביטחון והשר במשרד הביטחון חתמו על מסמך הבנות באשר לחלוקת האחריות במשרד הביטחון  [“The Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and the minister at the Ministry of Defense signed an MOU regarding the division of responsibilities at the Ministry of Defense”], 23 February 2023, https://www.gov.il/he/pages/event-understanding230223

^[126] Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office, ראש הממשלה, שר הביטחון והשר במשרד הביטחון חתמו על מסמך הבנות באשר לחלוקת האחריות במשרד הביטחון  [“The Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and the minister at the Ministry of Defense signed an MOU regarding the division of responsibilities at the Ministry of Defense”] (previously cited); Israel’s Minister of Defense and the Additional Minister at Israel’s Ministry of Defense, Memorandum of Understanding and the Division of Responsibilities between the Minister of Defense and the Additional Minister at the Ministry of Defense, 23 February 2023, https://ynet-pic1.yit.co.il/picserver5/wcm_upload_files/2023/02/23/SkylTh4As/______________________.pdf (in Hebrew); Breaking the Silence, Memorandum of Understanding and Division of Powers and Responsibilities between the Minister of Defense and the Additional Minister in the Ministry of Defense (Unofficial translation), 23 February 2023, https://www.breakingthesilence.org.il/inside/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Galant-Smotrich-agreement-eng.pdf; State of Israel, Government Order no. 168: Approval of the appointment of the head of the Settlement Administration (Regulation of Civil Services in Judea and Samaria) in the Ministry of Defense, 23 February 2023; Peace Now, “Annexation under the radar: The establishment of the Settlement Administration under Minister Bezalel Smotrich”, 1 July 2023, https://peacenow.org.il/en/annexation-under-the-radar-the-establishment-of-the-settlements-administration-under-minister-bezalel-smotrich-report

^[127] Haaretz English, “This Pro-settler NGO has been shaping Israeli policy for years. Now, it’s in control”, 27 April 2023, https://tinyurl.com/45yuhnfj

^[128] Breaking the Silence, The Silent Overhaul: Changing the Nature of Israeli Control in the West Bank, 2024, https://www.breakingthesilence.org.il/inside/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Silent-Overhaul-Full-Report.pdf, p. 8.

^[129] Israel Defense Forces, Order no. 2196, 29 May 2024, https://tinyurl.com/nhatz7ar (in Hebrew); Yesh Din, “HCJ petition: repeal the transfer of powers to Deputy Head of the Civil Administration”, 1 October 2024, https://www.yesh-din.org/en/hcj-petition-repeal-the-transfer-of-powers-from-the-head-of-the-civil-administration-to-his-deputy-which-means-the-annexation-of-the-west-bank

^[130] Israel Defense Forces, Order no. 947: The Establishment of the Civil Administration (Judea and Samaria), 1981; Letter of appointment and delegation of powers to the Deputy Head of the Civil Administration for Civil Affairs, on file with Amnesty International; Israel Defense Forces, Order no. 2196 (previously cited).

^[131] International Crisis Group, Sovereignty in All but Name (previously cited).

^[132] Ynet, בביקור במנהל האזרחי אמר סמוטריץ’ כי הוא פועל לסגור אותו: דיברתי עם נתניהו [“In a visit to the Civil Administration, Bezalel Smotrich said he was working to shut it down: I spoke with Netanyahu”], 5 December 2024, https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/bkldluke1e

^[133] Bimkom, “Israel moves to resume West Bank land registration: a precursor to annexation and land grab”, 15 February 2026, solt_c_eng_2026.pdf

^[134] See also OHCHR, “Israeli security cabinet’s decision to resume land registration in Area C of the occupied West Bank is deeply troubling”, 14 May 2025, https://palestine.un.org/en/294287-israeli-security-cabinet%E2%80%99s-decision-resume-land-registration-area-c-occupied-west-bank

^[135] Norwegian Refugee Council, A Guide to Housing, Land and Property Law in Area C of the West Bank, February 2012, https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/reports/a-guide-to-housing-land-and-property-law-in-area-c-of-the-west-bank.pdf 

^[136] Israel Defense Forces, Order no. 58: Abandoned Properties (Private Property) (Judea and Samaria), 5727-1967. Available in English on: The Nakba Files, “Military order 58: Abandoned properties” https://nakbafiles.org/nakba-casebook/military-order-58-abandoned-properties (accessed on 3 June 2026).

^[137] Peace Now, “Government approves West Bank land settlement, allocates NIS 244 million for a process entailing the dispossession of thousands of Palestinians”, 15 February 2026, https://peacenow.org.il/en/government-decision-land-registration

^[138] In January 2026, the Israeli Supreme Court rejected a petition submitted by four Israeli NGOs against the cabinet’s decision. The court justified its decision stating that the resumption of land registration had yet to be implemented, and that the petition was premature. See: Israel, HCJ, Yesh Din et al. v. The Ministerial committee on National Security Affairs (Security Cabinet), Ruling, 27 January 2026, on file with Amnesty International.

^[139] Peace Now, “Government approves West Bank land settlement, allocates NIS 244 million for a process entailing the dispossession of thousands of Palestinians”, (previously cited). For more information about state land declarations see Kerem Navot, Blue and White Make Black: The Work of Blue Line Team in the West Bank, December 2016, cdb1a7_04c9fe5f2c954d17953d9c5114041962.pdf

^[140] Peace Now, “The cabinet approves a series of decisions to take control of land and strip powers from the Palestinian Authority”, 8 February 2026, https://peacenow.org.il/en/cabinet-land-decisions

^[141] Government of Israel, Amendment to decision no. 150, 18 June 2023, https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/00000188-cd9d-da0c-a78a-ffff60e20000/97/17/5a428b70481593aed5e440c29562/memshala.pdf; See also Peace Now, “Israeli government assigns sole responsibility for West Bank settlement planning process to Minister Smotrich”, 18 June 2023, https://peacenow.org.il/en/israel-transfers-west-bank-settlements-planning-responsibility-to-minister-smotrich-cancels-defense-ministers-involvement

^[142] Israel Policy Forum, “The quiet surge in West Bank settlements”, 10 June 2024, https://peacenow.org.il/en/at-least-seven-outposts-established-in-palestinian-controlled-area-b

^[143] The Settlement Division is a unit within the World Zionist Organization that operates under the Israeli government’s authorization and funding to plan and support settlement projects. Under Israeli law, the government is allowed to delegate powers to the Settlement Division. See State of Israel, Law: The Status of WZO and Jewish Agency of Israel, 1952, https://www.nevo.co.il/law_html/law01/281_001.htm

^[144] Yesh Din, “Policy paper: what Israel’s 37th government’s guiding principles and coalition agreements mean for the West Bank, January 2023”, 1 February 2023, https://tinyurl.com/yww27t78

^[145]According to Breaking the Silence, following its formation, the government allocated NIS 620 million (approximately USD 197 million) of coalition funds to settlements in 2023 and 2024. Although funds were cut by NIS 140 million (approximately USD 48 million) following Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip launched in October 2023, settlements received an additional NIS 530 million (approximately USD 168 million) in 2024 through new budget allocations. See: Breaking the Silence, The Silent Overhaul (previously cited). See also Israel Policy Forum, “The quiet surge in West Bank settlements” (previously cited); Globes, “2025 budget bill gives Ben-Gvir extra NIS 2b”, 4 December 2024, https://iglob.es/?en1495951

^[146] State of Israel, Knesset, “Finance Committee approves NIS 110 million transfer, including NIS 90 million in cash, to Ministry of Settlement and National Missions”, 31 December 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/en/news/pressreleases/pages/press311223e.aspx

^[147] State of Israel, Knesset, “Finance Committee approves NIS 110 million transfer, including NIS 90 million in cash, to Ministry of Settlement and National Missions”, (previously cited).

^[148] This amount was authorized when the 2025 Budget Law passed its first reading at the Knesset in December 2024. See: State of Israe, Knesset, Bill: 2025 Fiscal Year Budget, Bill for First Reading, 16 December 2024, https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2224903

^[149] Haaretz, “Israeli Government Transfers Millions in Coalition Funds to Ministry in Charge of West Bank Settlements”, 17 March 2025, https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-03-17/ty-article/.premium/israeli-govt-transfers-millions-in-coalition-funds-to-ministry-in-charge-of-settlements/00000195-a4bf-dee5-a195-fdbfc9cd0000?fromLogin=success

During a Finance Committee meeting on 17 March 2025 concerning the 2025 budget, member of Yesh Atid party Vladimir Beliak stated that, according to a document from the prime minister’s office, coalition funds allocated to the Ministry of Settlement and National Missions increased from NIS 217 million (approximately 74.7 million) to NIS 268 million (USD 82 million). See: State of Israel, Knesset, “Protocol No. 623 Meeting of the Finance Committee”, 17 March 2025, main.knesset.gov.il/activity/legislation/laws/pages/lawbill.aspx?t=lawsuggestionssearch&lawitemid=2224903 

^[150] See: Knesset, 2025 Fiscal Year Budget Law, 22 April 2025, https://fs.knesset.gov.il/25/law/25_lsr_6956734.pdf

^[151] Calcalist, בדיקת האוצר חושפת: כך זורמים מיליארדים למשרד של אורית סטרוק – אחרי אישור התקציב [“Check by finance ministry reveals: this is how billions are funneled into Orit Strook’s ministry”], 22 March 2026, https://www.calcalist.co.il/local_news/article/hjap00h6511e

^[152] Calcalist, בדיקת האוצר חושפת: כך זורמים מיליארדים למשרד של אורית סטרוק – אחרי אישור התקציב [“Check by finance ministry reveals: this is how billions are funneled into Orit Strook’s ministry”] (previously cited).

^[153] Israel’s Ministry of Transport and Road Safety, בשורה ענקית לתושבי יו”ש [“Huge news for the residents of Judea and Samaria”], 9 August 2023, https://www.gov.il/he/pages/09-08-2023

^[154] Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, praised the launch of the construction of a by-pass road around the village of Al-Lubban as “a significant tool for reaching the goal of one million residents in Samaria”, echoing Bezalel Smotrich’s public commitment to double the West Bank’s settler population. Israel’s Ministry of Transport and Road Safety, בשורה ענקית לתושבי יו”ש [“Huge news for the residents of Judea and Samaria”] (previously cited).

^[155] Times of Israel, “NIS 918 million allocated to West Bank roads in ‘de facto sovereignty’ move”, 24 July 2025, https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/nis-918-million-allocated-to-west-bank-roads-in-de-facto-sovereignty-move

^[156] Israel’s Prime Minister Office, “קידום תוכנית לחיזוק ופיתוח יישובים ולפיתוח תשתיות ביהודה ושומרון” [“Promoting a plan to strengthen and develop infrastructure in Judea and Samaria”], 4 December 2025, https://www.gov.il/he/pages/dec3559-2025

^[157] This includes, for instance, the Knesset’s finance committee.

^[158] Peace Now, “Billions for settlements in the 2024 budget”, 22 February 2024, https://peacenow.org.il/en/billions-for-settlements-in-the-2024-budget;

Peace Now, “The government approved millions to farm outposts”, 5 February 2024, https://peacenow.org.il/en/the-government-approved-millions-to-farm-outposts;

Peace Now, “The Israeli government financed 68 illegal farms with NIS 15 million”, 23 July 2024, https://peacenow.org.il/en/government-funds-for-farms; The Settlement Division helps establish illegal settlements with full governmental funding. See: Peace Now, “Settlement Division continues to finance illegal projects”, 27 May 2019, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlement-division-continues-to-finance-illegal-projects

^[159] Peace Now, “The Israeli government financed 68 illegal farms with NIS 15 million” (previously cited).

^[160] See section 4.4.4: “Increased funding to settlements”

^[161] State of Israel, Knesset, ועדת הכספים אישרה את ההעברה למשרד ההתיישבות  [“Finance Committee approved transfer to settlement ministry”], 31 December 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/news/pressreleases/pages/press31.12.23.aspx
See also Peace Now, “Billions for settlements in the 2024 budget” (previously cited).

^[162] Associated Press (AP), “Israeli government quietly sends millions to unauthorized West Bank settler outposts”, 23 July 2024, https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/israeli-government-quietly-sends-millions-to-unauthorized-west-bank-settler-outposts

^[163] Peace Now, “The Israeli government financed 68 illegal farms with NIS 15 million” (previously cited).

^[164] The Times of Israel, “Government gifts state-financed ATVs to illegal settlement outposts for security”, 6 April 2025, https://www.timesofisrael.com/government-gifts-state-financed-atvs-to-illegal-settlement-outposts; The Times of Israel, “Government gifts more ATVs to illegal West Bank outposts to ‘deepen control’ of territory”, 30 July 2025, https://www.timesofisrael.com/government-gifts-more-atvs-to-illegal-west-bank-outposts-to-deepen-control-of-territory

See also a video from one of the events: Kivsa_schora, Instagram post, “Smotrich posted this video from an event”, 6 April 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reels/DIGZ5oNNVhg

^[165] Guidestar, השומר יו”ש – ארגון השמירה ביהודה ושומרון [“Hashomer Yosh – the Judea and Samaria guarding organization”], https://www.guidestar.org.il/organization/580575629 (accessed on 14 May 2026), “Overview”; Guidestar, שיבת ציון לרגבי אדמתה [“The Return of Zion to its Land‘s Roots”], https://www.guidestar.org.il/organization/580556306/govsupport, (accessed on 14 May 2026), “Overview”.

^[166] For more details, see section 5.6.3 “Government support to settler organizations: the case of Hashomer Yosh”.

^[167] Guidestar, השומר יו”ש – ארגון השמירה ביהודה ושומרון [“Hashomer Yosh – the Judea and Samaria guarding organization”] https://www.guidestar.org.il/organization/580575629/finances (accessed on 14 May 2026), “Financial data”.

^[168] Guidestar, רגבים [“Regavim”] https://www.guidestar.org.il/organization/580460319/finances (accessed on 14 May 2026), “Financial data”.

^[169] Peace Now, State Land Declarations List, https://tinyurl.com/4szpuz6s (accessed on 14 January 2026).

^[170] European Union, Office of the European Union Representative (West Bank and Gaza Strip, UNRWA), 2024 Report on Israeli Settlements in the Occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem: Reporting Period January – December 2024”, 14 August 2025, https://tinyurl.com/fdxtdkrh   

^[171] Peace Now, Construction in Settlements – Settlement Watch, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements-watch/settlements-data/construction (accessed on 14 May 2026), “Construction”.

^[172] Peace Now, “Advancement of 248 housing units in the West Bank”, 21 October 2025, https://peacenow.org.il/en/advancement-of-248-housing-units-in-the-west-bank. The figures include the approval of the E1 settlement plan to build some 3,400 housing units between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim settlement in the occupied West Bank, in a move that will divide the West Bank in two and further isolate East Jerusalem, if implemented. See: Middle East Eye, “Amnesty International says Israel’s E1 settlement ‘flagrant violation’ of international law”, 21 August 2025, https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/amnesty-international-says-israels-e1-settlement-flagrant-violation

^[173] Peace Now, “Advancement of 248 housing units in the West Bank” (previously cited); Peace Now, Construction in Settlements – Settlement Watch, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements-watch/settlements-data/construction https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements-watch/settlements-data/construction (accessed on 14 May 2026), “Construction”.

^[174] Peace Now, Construction in Settlements – Settlement Watch, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements-watch/settlements-data/construction (accessed on 14 May 2026), “Construction”. 

^[175] Peace Now, Construction in Settlements – Settlement Watch, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements-watch/settlements-data/construction (accessed on 14 May 2026), “Construction”.

^[176] OCHA, Breakdown of Data on Demolition and Displacement in the West Bank, https://tinyurl.com/2e5bvv5n (accessed on 11 May 2026).

^[177] Bezalel Smotrich, X post:הקבינט אישר את ההצעה שהעלתי יחד עם ידידי שר הביטחון ישראל כ”ץ להכריז ולהסדיר 19 יישובים חדשים! [“The Cabinet confirmed the plan that I submitted with my friend, the Minister of Defense, Israel Katz, to declare and regulate 19 new settlements!”], 21 December 2025, https://peacenow.org.il/en/at-least-seven-outposts-established-in-palestinian-controlled-area-b

According to Peace Now, one of these settlements, Givat Harel, was counted twice in government declarations, and the total number of newly approved settlements by 21 December 2025 stood at 68, and not 69. See: Peace Now, “Cabinet decision on the establishment of 34 new settlements”, 9 April 2026, https://peacenow.org.il/en/at-least-seven-outposts-established-in-palestinian-controlled-area-b

^[178] BBC, “Israel approves 19 new settlements in occupied West Bank”, 21 December 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqjg18xe0wwo

^[179] i24 News, חשיפה: הקבינט אישר בחשאי הקמת עשרות יישובים חדשים ביו”ש, בצה”ל הסתייגו [“Exposure: The Cabinet secretly approved the establishment of dozens of new settlements Sin Judea and Samaria, the IDF had reservations”], 9 April 2026, https://www.i24news.tv/he/news/news/defense-news/artc-6cd86408

^[180] Peace Now, Settlements Decided by the Cabinet, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14co5BALh3RDJ9HwcXylSlCPZUXQ7D-vb6UwYvcLXAXg/edit?gid=0#gid=0 (accessed on 11 May 2026).
While media reported that the total number of settlements declared by the 37th government by April 2026 was 103, this number includes one settlement, Givat Harel, that was announced twice, making a total of 102.

^[181]Peace Now, Settlements and Outposts Peace Now 12.2025, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Hs_JdYPEs4oXs09zG3Hd4tWBpYo0ImkJ6WuXAEgMi0U/edit (accessed on 3 June 2026).

^[182] Peace Now, Construction in Settlements – Settlement Watch, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements-watch/settlements-data/construction (accessed on 14 May 2026).

^[183] OHCHR, Thematic Report: Israel’s Discriminatory Administration of the Occupied West Bank, Including East Jerusalem, 7 January 2026, https://www.un.org/unispal/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/20260105-Thematic-Report_Israels-discriminatory-administration_formatted.pdf, p. 19.

^[184] Israel Defense Forces, Spokesperson’s Unit, email response to Amnesty International’s letter addressed to Minister of Defense Israel Katz, offering the right of reply, 23 May 2026. See annex 2 for the full response to Amnesty International’s letter.

^[185] UNGA, “Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Occupied Syrian Golan”, 12 September 2024, https://www.un.org/unispal/document/israeli-settlements-in-opt-including-east-jerusalem-and-the-occupied-syrian-golan-sg-report-12sep24

^[186] Peace Now, “At least seven outposts established in Palestinian-controlled Area B”, 22 December 2024, https://peacenow.org.il/en/at-least-seven-outposts-established-in-palestinian-controlled-area-b

^[187] Peace Now, “At least seven outposts established in Palestinian-controlled Area B” (previously cited).

^[188] Ynet,20  מבנים פונו במאחז, לוחמת ספגה אגרוף: “השן נשברה” | תיעוד [“Structures evacuated in an outpost, a combatant was punched: “broke a tooth” | “Documentation”], 17 November 2025, https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/ry6axv00lwg (in Hebrew); Kan, כוחות הביטחון פינו מאחז באזור שכם – עשרות ישראלים התפרעו ביו”ש [“Security forces evicted an outpost near Nablus – dozens of Israelis rioted in Judea and Samaria”], 4 December 2024, https://tinyurl.com/4cx43fv4 (in Hebrew); i24 News,אחרי הפינוי בגוש עציון – מאחז חדש הוקם באישור המועצה [“After the eviction in Gush Etzion, a new outpost was established with the local council’s authorization”], 20 November 2025, https://www.i24news.tv/he/news/news/local/artc-75593def (in Hebrew); Kan, המנהל האזרחי פינה מאחז בגוש עציון: יצאו ממנו מתקפות נגד פלסטינים [“The Civil Administration evicted an outpost in Gush Etzion: attack against Palestinians came from it”], 25 December 2025, https://www.kan.org.il/content/kan-news/defense/983637/ (in Hebrew); The Times of Israe, “Israeli forces dismantle West Bank outpost near where 2 Palestinians said shot dead”, 5 March 2026, https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-forces-dismantle-settler-outpost-near-village-where-2-palestinians-said-shot-dead

^[189] Peace Now, Settlement Watch, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements-watch/settlements-data/population (accessed on 25 May 2026), “Population”.

^[190] While the Oslo Accords prohibited the establishment of new settlements by the Israeli authorities, Israel has allowed the construction of settler outposts by its citizens without official authorization, placing them outside the official settlement framework.

^[191] Peace Now, Settlements Decided by the Cabinet, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14co5BALh3RDJ9HwcXylSlCPZUXQ7D-vb6UwYvcLXAXg/edit?gid=0#gid=0 (accessed on 11 May 2026); See for example, the cabinet’s decision adopted in February 2023, which legalized nine outposts: Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office, Ministerial Committee on National Security Affairs (State Security Cabinet) decision No. B/6, 12 March 2023, https://www.gov.il/he/pages/dec6b-2023

^[192] OHCHR, Thematic Report: Israel’s Discriminatory Administration of the Occupied West Bank, Including East Jerusalem (previously cited), p. 25. The exact population of Palestinian and herding communities in the West Bank is unknown; different organizations have estimated it at between 30,000 and 40,000 over the years. See for example United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Resilience Series, Bedouins in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, March 2017, https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-11/internal-_resilience_series_-_bedouins_in_the_opt.pdf

^[193] Amnesty International, Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians (previously cited); Human Rights Watch, Separate and Unequal, Israel’s Discriminatory Treatment of Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, 19 December 2010, https://www.hrw.org/report/2010/12/19/separate-and-unequal/israels-discriminatory-treatment-palestinians-occupied

^[194] ICRC 2025 Commentary on the Fourth Geneva Convention, Article 27 para. 2263.

^[195] Fourth Geneva Convention, Article 49(6); Rome Statute, Article 8(2)(b)(viii).

^[196] International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article 6, para. 1.

^[197] ICCPR, Article 7.

^[198] International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), Article 6.

^[199] ICESCR, Article 11.

^[200] ICJ, Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Including East Jerusalem, advisory opinion (previously cited), paras. 100-101; ICJ, Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, advisory opinion (previously cited), paras 110-113;

UN Human Rights Committee, General Comment 31: The Nature of the General Legal Obligation Imposed on States Parties to the Covenant, 26 May 2004, UN Doc. CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.13, para. 10.

^[201] Al-Haq, Urgent Appeal on Intensified Violence and Attacks Against Palestinians by Colonial Settlers, 14 April 2022, https://www.alhaq.org/cached_uploads/download/2022/04/14/urgent-appeal-on-intensified-violence-against-palestinians-by-colonial-settlers-14april2022-1649947426.pdf 

^[202] OCHA, “Humanitarian situation update #268 | West Bank”, 27 February 2025, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-situation-update-268-west-bank

^[203] OHCHR, Thematic Report: Israel’s Discriminatory Administration of the Occupied West Bank, Including East Jerusalem (previously cited), p. 23.

^[204] OCHA, “OPT: Humanitarian situation report | 2 April 2026”, 2 April 2026, https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/opt-humanitarian-situation-report-2-april-2026

^[205] OCHA, “Humanitarian situation report |7 May 2026”, 8 May 2026, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-situation-report-7-may-2026; OCHA, “Humanitarian situation report |15 May 2026”, 15 May 2026, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-situation-report-15-may-2026#escalating-settler-violence-and-attacks-on-livelihoods

^[206] The exact population of Bedouin and herding communities in the West Bank is unknown, with estimates varying between 30,000 and 40,000 over the years. In January 2026, OHCHR cited data estimating the total population at 35,000. OHCHR, Thematic report: Israel’s Discriminatory Administration of the West Bank, Including East Jerusalem (previously cited), p. 25; UNDP, Resilience Series: Bedouins in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (previously cited).

^[207] OCHA, “Humanitarian situation report 7 May 2026”, 8 May 2026, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-situation-report-7-may-2026
For a list of communities recorded by OCHA as fully or partially displaced between 2023 and 2025, see OCHA, “West Bank – the impact of settler attacks”, 27 April 2026, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/west-bank-impact-settler-attacks-january-2023-december-2025

Other organizations have provided varying counts of the number of communities that were fully or partially displaced. These variations stem primarily from different definitions or classifications of communities approaches adopted by these organizations. For example, B’Tselem lists 79 communities – primarily in Area C, but also in areas A and B – affected by displacement between January 2023 and mid-March 2026. Of these, 63 communities were fully displaced and 16 were partially displaced. B’Tselem, “Area C communities forcibly transferred under cover of Gaza war”, https://www.btselem.org/settler_violence_updates_list?importance=1, (accessed on 25 May 2026).

^[208] OCHA, “Humanitarian situation update #350 – West Bank”, 23 December 2025, https://www.un.org/unispal/document/ocha-humanitarian-situation-update-350-west-bank/

^[209] The data provided by the Knesset does not distinguish between Israeli citizens in Israel and the West Bank. State of Israel, Knesset, “National Security Committee approves regulations easing requirements for receiving firearm license; 41,000 applications for licenses submitted since start of the warfare”, 16 October 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/en/news/pressreleases/pages/press161023r.aspx

^[210] Itamar Ben Gvir, Telegram Post: 20 שנה אחרי הגירוש: השר בן גביר מאשר רישיונות נשק ליישוב שא-נור שפונה

[“20 years after the displacement: Minister Ben-Gvir approves gun licences for the evacuated settlement of Sa-Nur”], 21 January 2026, https://t.me/bengvir/6311 (in Hebrew).

^[211] Within only three weeks, the ministry announced that it had formed more than 700 such squads across the country. Israeli Police, מעל 700 כיתות כוננות חדשות הוקמו ברחבי הארץ [“Over 700 new rapid response (civil defense) units have been established across the country”], 1 November 2023, https://www.gov.il/he/pages/police_01-11-23_conenut (in Hebrew).

^[212] Jewish Power, הוקמה יחידת הית”ר – יחידת תגובה ראשונית במחוז ש”י [“Yatar unit was established – a rapid response unit in the Judea and Samaria district”], 10 July 2025, (in Hebrew); Israel Police Spokesperson Unit, הקמת היתר 8.7.25 [“Establishment of Yatar, 8 July 2025”], 8 July 2025, dropbox.com/scl/fi/ln27m20ezcnrn9syp6atd/08.07.25.mp4?dl=0 (in Hebrew).

^[213] Jewish Power, הוקמה יחידת הית”ר – יחידת תגובה ראשונית במחוז ש”י [“ Yatar unit was established – a rapid response unit in the Judea and Samaria district”] (previously cited); Israel Police Spokesperson Unit, הקמת היתר 8.7.25 [“Establishment of Yatar unit, 8 July 2025”] (previously cited).

^[214] Israel Police Spokesperson Unit, הקמת היתר 8.7.25 [“Establishment of Yatar, 8 July 2025”] (previously cited).

^[215] OHCHR, The Human Rights Situation in the Occupied West Bank Including East Jerusalem 7 October – 20 November 2023, 27 December 2023, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/countries/palestine/2023-12-27-Flash-Report.pdf, p. 15.

^[216] Haaretz, “Israel’s army drafted and armed thousands of settlers. Accounts of their violence are piling up”, 17 January 2024, https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-01-17/ty-article-magazine/.premium/israels-army-drafted-thousands-of-settlers-accounts-of-their-violence-are-piling-up/0000018d-12e7-d260-aded-b7efddbe0000

^[217] Haaretz, “Israel’s army drafted and armed thousands of settlers. Accounts of their violence are piling up”, (previously cited).

^[218] The Israeli military conducted investigations into several incidents involving violent acts by soldiers from the regional defence battalions and subsequently restricted their operations to settlements, reducing their numbers to approximately 1,000 by May 2024. However, abuses by regional battalions have continued. ACLED, Civilians or Soldiers? Settler Violence in the West Bank, 10 June 2024, https://acleddata.com/report/civilians-or-soldiers-settler-violence-west-bank; Guardian, “Settler-only IDF units functioning as ‘vigilante militias’ in West Bank”, 30 January 2026, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/30/settler-only-idf-units-functioning-as-vigilante-militias-in-west-bank; OHCHR, Israel’s Discriminatory Administration of the Occupied West Bank, Including East Jerusalem (previously cited).

^[219] Israel’s Ministry of Justice, תקנות כלי הירייה (תנאי סף ותבחינים לקבלת רישיון פרטי לכלי ירייה והוראות נוספות), התשפ”ד – 2023 [“Firearms Regulations (Eligibility Conditions and Criteria for Granting a Private Firearm Licence and Additional Provisions), 2023”], 18 October 2023, (previously cited), https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/service/issue_firearms_license_to_a_private_individual/he/FirearmsRegulations.pdf; State of Israel, Knesset, “National Security Committee approves regulations easing requirements for receiving firearm license; 41,000 applications for licenses submitted since start of the warfare”, 16 October 2023, https://main.knesset.gov.il/en/news/pressreleases/pages/press161023r.aspx

^[220] Itamar Ben Gvir, Telegram Post: 20 שנה אחרי הגירוש: השר בן גביר מאשר רישיונות נשק ליישוב שא-נור שפונה [“20 years after the disengagement: Minister Ben-Gvir approves gun licences for the evacuated settlement of Sa-Nur”] (previously cited).

^[221] State of Israel, Knesset, היבטים ברישוי כלי ירייה פרטי בישראל [“Aspects of licensing private firearms in Israel”], 13 February 2024, https://fs.knesset.gov.il/globaldocs/MMM/17835c95-a583-ee11-815f-005056aac6c3/2_17835c95-a583-ee11-815f-005056aac6c3_11_20433.pdf

^[222] Israel’s Ministry of Health, “Health eligibility for licensed firearms possession”, 3 February 2026, https://me.health.gov.il/en/mental-health/information-and-updates/prevention-of-suicide/legal-aspects/firearm-health-qualification/

^[223] State of Israel, Knesset, היבטים ברישוי כלי ירייה פרטי בישראל [“Aspects of licensing private firearms in Israel”] (previously cited).

^[224]Middle East Eye, “Israel’s National Security Minister handing out weapons to settlers”, 13 October 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-K6KXqC_vk; Middle East Monitor, “Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir arms Israeli settlers in occupied West Bank”, 24 October 2023, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231024-security-minister-itamar-ben-gvir-arms-israeli-settlers-in-occupied-west-bank/

^[225] OCHA, “West Bank – The impact of settler attacks | January 2023 – December 2025”, 27 April 2026, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/west-bank-impact-settler-attacks-january-2023-december-2025 

^[226] Interviews in person with: “Aisha” (name changed for security reasons), 11 February 2024, Al-Hadidiya; two residents of Ras Ein al-Oja, 18 February 2024, Ras Ein al-Oja; three displaced residents from Ein Samia, 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik; Muntasir al-Maliki, 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik; “Anwar” (name changed for security reasons), 2 March 2024, Al-Taybeh; “Ayat“ (name changed for security reasons), 5 March 2024, Susya; four displaced residents from Zanuta, 5 March 2024, Al-Dhahiriya; ISM protective presence volunteer ”Farah“ (name changed for security reasons), 31 July 2025, Jerusalem; two displaced residents from Ein Samia, 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik; two ISM protective presence volunteers, 27 August 2025, northern Jordan Valley; three displaced residents from Zanuta, 1 September 2025, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[227] See section 5.5 “Role of Israeli forces and authorities in settler violence” for details of soldiers’ participation in settler attacks against Palestinian communities.

^[228] B’Tselem, Rolling list: Ethnic cleansing of Palestinian communities and lone families in the West Bank, (last updated 16 March 2026), https://www.btselem.org/settler_violence_updates_list?importance=1&page=1

^[229] Interview in person with “Salman” (name changed for security reasons), 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik; interview in person with three residents of Ras Ein al-Oja, 18 February 2024, Ras Ein al-Oja; AP News, “Three small Palestinian villages emptied out this summer, residents blame Israeli settler attacks”, 24 August 2023, https://apnews.com/article/israel-settlers-bedouin-palestinians-displacement-shepherds-9207aa17efcaf9fda58793a847f7e560

^[230] Interview in person with “Salman”, 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik.

^[231] Interview in person with “Marwa” (name changed for security reasons), 5 March 2024, Al-Dhahiriya; interview in person with Fayez a-Till, 5 March 2024, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[232] Interview in person with “Anwar”, 2 March 2024, Al-Taybeh.

^[233] Interview in person with “Ayat”, 5 March 2024, Susya.

^[234] TRT World, “Illegal Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian home in Hebron”, 25 June 2025, https://www.trtworld.com/video/f478dc66e98a; Anadolu English, X post: “A Palestinian family narrowly escapes death when extremist Israeli settlers set fire to their home in the village of Susiya, south of Hebron, in the occupied West Bank”, 25 June 2025, https://x.com/anadoluagency/status/1937948913513664607

TrueX, X post: “They burned the house to force us to leave, but we are staying.” These are the words of the homeowner whose house was burned by settler militias tonight in the village of Susiya in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron”, 25 June 2025, https://x.com/1usty_Justice/satatus/1937838111662149745

^[235] Machsom Watch, “Settlers burned down a house in Susiya”, 25 June 2025, https://tinyurl.com/4ej5fh7m

^[236] OCHA, Data on Casualties, https://www.ochaopt.org/data/casualties (accessed on 11 May 2026), “Palestinian Fatalities”. 

^[237] OCHA, email to Amnesty International, 6 May 2026, on file with Amnesty International.

^[238] OCHA, Data on Casualties, https://www.ochaopt.org/data/casualties (accessed on 11 May 2026), “Palestinian Fatalities”. 

^[239] OCHA, Data on Casualties, https://www.ochaopt.org/data/casualties (accessed on 11 May 2026), “Palestinian Fatalities”. 

^[240] Palestinian injuries resulting from settler attacks increased from an average of 149 per year between 2017 and 2022, to an annual average of 522 between January 2023 and December 2025. Data for the first three months of 2026 (343 injuries) indicates a further rise in the rate of Palestinian injuries caused by settler attacks. Given that OCHA data includes only injuries requiring medical care at a clinic or hospital, or by paramedics at the site of the incident, the real number of injuries is likely to be higher. OCHA, email to Amnesty International, 7 May 2026, on file with Amnesty International.

^[241] Between 2017 and 2022, OCHA recorded an average of 6.6 Palestinian injuries per year caused by settlers’ use of live ammunition (40 injuries over six years). By contrast, between January 2023 and December 2025, there was an average of about 36.3 known cases per year (109 Palestinian injuries over three years), representing more than a fivefold increase in the annual rate of such injuries. In the first three months of 2026 alone, settlers injured 22 Palestinians with firearms suggesting also a further rise in settler-induced injuries caused by firearms. OCHA, email to Amnesty International, 7 May 2026, on file with Amnesty International.

^[242] OCHA, email to Amnesty International, 7 May 2026, on file with Amnesty International.

^[243] Amnesty International, ‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’ (previously cited), p. 33.

^[244] Incidents of physical violence occurring in grazing areas are outlined see section 5.4 “Targeting livelihoods and means of survival”.

^[245] Incident described in section 5.2 “Zanuta”.

^[246] Interview in person with Khalil Jabareen, 5 March 2024, Shi’b al-Butum.

^[247] Interview in person with Khalil Jabareen, 5 March 2024, Shi’b al-Butum.

^[248] Interview in person with Khalil Jabareen, 5 March 2024, Shi’b al-Butum.

^[249] Al-Haya.ps, Facebook post: الأغوار- خربة مكحول [“Jordan Valley – Khirbet al-Makhoul”], 20 September 2023, https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=680116677435244; Video recorded by a resident in Zanuta, on file with Amnesty International; Ajplusarabi, Facebook post: تحت حماية قوات الاحتلال [“Under the protection of Israeli occupation forces”], 4 March 2025, https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1456753735305585; B’Tselem, مستوطنون يعتدون على فلسطينيين ونشطاء في خربة سوسيا [“Settlers assault Palestinians and activists in Khirbet Susya”], 27 March 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lm3F42NKVk; Pal post, Facebook Post: مستوطنون تحت حماية القوات [“Settlers, under the protection of the [Israeli] forces”], 10 May 2025, https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=662038166632020 ; B’Tselem, X post: “This morning, Monday, 17 March 2025”, 17 March 2025, https://x.com/btselem/status/1901643408612958658; Al-Haq, X post: “Hours after the ICJ delivered its Advisory Opinion”, 20 July 2024, https://x.com/alhaq_org/status/1814720851880587265?s=20; Nir Hasson, X post: “This morning, an attack by 8 masked settlers”, 17 March 2025, https://x.com/nirhasson/status/1901548085727146035; Kivsa Shchora, X post: “Harsh settler attack this morning”, 24 July 2025, https://x.com/masafering/status/1948329315587756082; Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission (CWRC), Facebook post:الآن، جيش الاحتلال يقوم بالاستيلاء على مواد بناء  [“Now, the Israeli occupation forces are confiscating construction materials”], 26 July 2023, https://www.facebook.com/wallresistance/videos/990885948823841; Palestine TV, Facebook post:مستوطنون يعتدون على المواطنين [“Settlers assault residents”], 27 January 2023, https://tinyurl.com/yy9fjuy2https://tinyurl.com/66pvreb7; Alarabiya Palestine, Facebook post: مستوطنون يقتحمون خربة مكحول [“Settlers break into Khirbet Makhoul”], 26 October 2024, https://www.facebook.com/reel/1518673918780741; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Nighttime harrassment”, 4 September 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DOMdQ5UjRNa/; Hamza Howidy, X post: “Armed Israeli settlers launched a violent attack last night”, 21 June 2025, https://x.com/HowidyHamza/status/1936423801971220726; Younis Tirawi, X post: “Farsiya, Jordan Valley, West Bank”, 10 September 2023, https://x.com/ytirawi/status/1700650552793727485; Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “Settlets Invasion and Attack”, 29 March 2025, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1905873650080796804 ; Supressed News, X post: “A scene documenting the attack”, 11 March 2025, https://x.com/SuppressedNws/status/1899439604647723319

^[250] B’Tselem, X post: “This morning, Monday, 17 March 2025” (previously cited); Supressed News, X post: “A scene documenting the attack” (previously cited); Nir Hasson, X post: ”This morning, an attack by 8 masked settlers” (previously cited); Kivsa Shchora, X post: אתמול בערב: עוד מתקפה של מתנחלים [“Last night: another settler attack”], 29 June 2025, https://x.com/masafering/status/1939550427998982399?s=20;

Andrey X, X post: “NOW: Israeli settlers attack Susya”, 29 June 2025, https://x.com/the_andrey_x/status/1939357544893272457?s=20

^[251] B’Tselem, X post: “This morning, Monday, 17 March 2025” (previously cited). 

^[252] Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), West Bank: “Sexualized violence drives Palestinian displacement”, 20 April 2026, https://www.nrc.no/news/2026/west-bank-sexualised-violence-drives-palestinian-displacement; Haaretz, “Cigarette burns, batings, attempted sexual assault: Settlers and soldiers abused Palestinians”, 21 October 2023, https://tinyurl.com/t2y6us8t

Haaretz, “Israeli settlers sexually assaulted Palestinian man in Jordan Valley, witnesses say”, 16 March 2026, https://tinyurl.com/3bh6dfht

^[253] B’Tselem, “South Hebron Hills: Settler Shem Tov Luski sexually harasses Palestinian and implicitly threatens rape”, 25 August 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6hgofoJAMo

^[254] B’Tselem, “South Hebron Hills: Settler Shem Tov Luski sexually harasses Palestinian and implicitly threatens rape” (previously cited).

^[255] B’Tselem, “South Hebron Hills: Settler Shem Tov Luski sexually harasses Palestinian and implicitly threatens rape” (previously cited). 

^[256] Al-Jazeera, “Israeli far-right politicians protest arrest of soldiers suspected of abuse”, 29 July 2024, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/29/israeli-far-right-politicians-protest-arrest-of-soldiers-suspected-of-abuse

^[257] For further information on impunity for settler abuses, see section 5.6 “Israel’s response to settler attacks: impunity and active support”.

^[258] For further details, see section 3.1.1 “Palestinian Bedouin and herding communities”.

^[259] Under Islamic law, waqf is an endowment by which an institution holds property for charitable purposes, often as the result of a donation by an individual or group.

^[260] Interview by audio call with expert on property and Ottoman law, 26 May 2026.

^[261] Palestine Studies, Bedouin Communities in Greater Jerusalem: Planning or Forced Displacement?, Spring 2016, https://www.palestine-studies.org/en/node/198347

^[262] OCHA, “Displacement of Palestinian herders amid increasing settler violence”, 21 September 2023, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/displacement-palestinian-herders-amid-increasing-settler-violence

^[263] OCHA, “Displacement of Palestinian herders amid increasing settler violence” (previously cited).

^[264] Direct actions by the Israeli authorities such as the confiscation of herds and destruction of animal shelters were reported in a small number of communities. OCHA, “Displacement of Palestinian herders amid increasing settler violence” (previously cited).

^[265] OCHA, “Displacement of Palestinian herders amid increasing settler violence”, (previously cited).

^[266] See, for example, Kerem Navot and Peace Now, The Bad Samaritan: Land Grabbing by Settlers Through Grazing, December 2024, Peace Now The Bad Samaritan: Land Grabbing by Settlers Through Grazing

Haaretz, “Israeli settlers aren’t content with expelling Palestinian shepherds, they also steal their sheep”, 1 May 2024, https://tinyurl.com/4ne6t2f4

^[267] See section 5.5 “Role of Israeli forces and authorities in settler violence”.

^[268] Elected administrative bodies that govern Israeli settlements and control agricultural lands, infrastructure and civil affairs. 

^[269] See section 5.5.3 “Arbitrary arrests and fines”.

^[270] Interviews in person with: Yousef Bisharat, 11 February 2024, Makhoul; two displaced residents from Zanuta, 5 March 2024, Al-Dhahiriya; Muntasir al-Maliki, 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik; Muhammad Ka’abneh, 12 February 2024, Abu Falah.

^[271] See, for example, B’Tselem, “Israeli settler drives on cultivated Palestinian land, scattering flock, Widady, South Hebron Hills”, 16 April 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHVSOzbbllY

^[272] Shanna Messaoudi, X post: Un groupe de colons juifs a déraciné environ 150 pousses d’oliviers [“A group of Jewish settlers uprooted approximately 150 olive saplings”], 30 June 2025, https://x.com/Shanna__Bylka/status/1939606742708740339; Al-Jazeera Egypt, Facebook post: لا يذرون حجرًا ولا شجرًا [“They spare neither stone nor tree”], 30 June 2025, https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=655017630908893; Yehuda Shaul, X post: “Breaking: Just now in Shi’b al-Butum”, 3 January 2023, https://x.com/YehudaShaul/status/1610264254086529024; Kivsa Shchora, X post: “150 olive trees were cut down last night”, 24 July 2025, https://x.com/masafering/status/1949524838458036626?s=20; Palestine News, X post: “Israeli settlers cut down fruit trees”, 5 June 2023, https://x.com/DayPal_official/status/1665798504210477056; Anna Lippman, Instagram post: “Another relentless attack on the village of Susya”, 24 July 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DMhFF1bNwYh/?img_index=2; Youth of Sumud, Instagram post: “Today Israeli extremists settlers raided the village”, 25 August 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DNySXrR0B7h/?img_index=1;;Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Settlers graze cattle on”, 8 February 2026, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUgSUYJDTpy/?igsh=NWo2MzVrejc3MHoy; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Yesterday, upon arriving to harvest his olives, 75-year-old Sultan Rashed Sawafta from Bardala found his olive grove in a shocking state”, 15 October 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP1Ie4EDK_b/?igsh=MW1jd3d2dTl3Z2EydA%3D%3D;

Video filmed by a resident in Ein Samia, on file with Amnesty International.

^[273] Kerem Navot, The Wild West: Grazing, Seizing and Looting by Israeli Settlers in the West Bank, May 2022, a76eb4_9d3dee006d0e4decac505bf432bbd56e.pdf

^[274] According to their website, Amana is “the settlement movement of Gush Emunim [and] was established in 1978 with the primary goal of developing communities in Judea, Samaria, The Golan Heights, The Galilee, The Negev and Gush Katif [the settlement in the Gaza Strip that was evacuated in 2005]. This goal includes not only the establishment of communities and their supportive industries and social services but their continued maintenance and development.” For further details, see: Amana – The Settlement Movement, https://web.archive.org/web/20111022014657/https://www.amana.co.il/Index.asp?CategoryID=101&ArticleID=166; “About Us”; Amana, https://amana.co.il ,(accessed on 3 June 2026), “About Us”.

^[275] Haaretz,ממשלת נתניהו לא סתם מאפשרת את הטרור היהודי בגדה. היא מממנת אותו. תחקיר [“Netanyahu’s government is not merely allowing Jewish terrorism in the [West] Bank. It is funding it. Investigation”], 10 October 2024, https://www.haaretz.co.il/magazine/2024-10-10/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/00000192-70ab-d292-a392-78bfa8210000 

^[276] Ynet, בביקור במנהל האזרחי אמר סמוטריץ’ כי הוא פועל לסגור אותו: דיברתי עם נתניהו [“During a visit to the Civil Administration, Smotrich said that he is working to shut it down: I spoke with Netanyahu”], 5 December 2024, https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/bkldluke1e

^[277] Kerem Navot, The Wild West, (previously cited), p.17.

^[278] Peace Now and Kerem Navot, The Bad Samaritan (previously cited), p. 20.

^[279] Peace Now and Kerem Navot, The Bad Samaritan (previously cited), p. 20.

^[280] Peace Now and Kerem Navot, The Bad Samaritan (previously cited), p. 23.

^[281] Interview in person with Rasheed Khudeiri, activist with the Jordan Valley Solidarity Campaign, 27 August 2025, Bardala.

^[282] OCHA, “Displacement of Palestinian herders amid increasing settler violence”, (previously cited).

^[283]Interviews in person with “Hilmi” (name changed for security reasons), 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik; Yousef Bisharat, 11 February 2024, Makhoul; “Rawda” (name changed for security reasons),10 February 2024, Al-Farisiya; Fayez al-Till, 1 September 2025, Al-Dhahiriya; two displaced residents from Ein Samia, 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik; “Ayat” (name changed for security reasons), 5 March 2024, Susya; four displaced residents from Zanuta, 5 March 2024, Al-Dhahiriya; three residents of Ein al-Hilweh, 10 February 2024, Ein al-Hilweh; three displaced residents from Ein Samia, 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik.

^[284] Al-Quds Channel, Facebook post:مســتوطنون يطلقون أغنامهم وسط مساكن الأهالي في قرية راس عين العوجا البدوية شمال مدينة أريحا [“Settlers herd their sheep between residents’ homes in Bedouin village of Ras Ein al-Oja north of Jericho”], 19 April 2024, https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2717878508602048; Osama Makhamrh, Facebook post: مستوطنون يطاردون رعاة الاغنام في تل ماعين [“Settlers chase away shepherds in Tal Ma’een”], 23 April 2025, https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=706343985291131; Al-Jazeera – Palestine, Facebook post: مستوطنون يهاجمون المزارعين في مسافر يطا جنوب الخليل [“Settlers attack farmers in Masafer Yatta south of Hebron”], 15 March 2025, https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2777001549145646 Video recorded by protective presence volunteers on 29 February 2024 in Ein Samia, on file with Amnesty International; Mistaclim, X post: “A routine in the kingdom of evil and crime”, 29 February 2024, https://x.com/Mistaclim/status/1763208859269636453; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Ein al-Hilweh, Jordan Valley”, 30 March 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKRuvMytzrz/?igsh=YW1wZGs1cWltZGFs; Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “Multiple sanctioned settler #Moshe_Sharvit did not manage to sabotage the olive harvest”, 29 October 2024, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1851272898926809473?s=20; Eye on Palestine, Instagram post: “Israeli settlers attack Palestinian shepherd in Susya village in Masafer Yatta, southern Hebron”, 11 March 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHDrO0Mq4Ty/?igsh=MTlucXFtemtrNmszcA%3D%3D; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Invasion to Palestinian lands”, 24 December 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSpqLazDEKQ/?igsh=bzBxc3poamNxcnR6 Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Al-Farisiya – Today at 07:10, the Al-Farisiya herds began their way to the pasture”, 20 November 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRSoNcIDV4N/?igsh=MWpyeGRsbXF6NThqZw%3D%3D; Video recorded by the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) on 26 December 2024 in Al-Farisiya, shared with Amnesty International; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Yesterday, Didi Amosi from the illegal outpost of Tene Yarok Farms expelled a herd of cows”, 25 September 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DPCdh_mDTwV; Jordan Valley Activists, Facebook post: “Trespassing – Yesterday around 1pm, settler Gilad Amosi from the ‘Tene Yarok’ illegal outpost farm brought his herd to a Palestinian field”, 9 January 2025, https://tinyurl.com/4rh8bpm6; Video recorded by a resident in Shi’b al-Butum, on file with Amnesty International.

^[285] Interview in person with Yousef Bisharat, 11 February 2024, Makhoul.

^[286]Interviews in person with two displaced residents from Zanuta, 5 March 2024, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[287] Interviews in person with: Muntasir al-Maliki, 2 March 2024, Kurf Malik; three displaced residents from Ein Samia, 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik; three residents of Ein al-Hilweh, 10 February 2024; Yousef Bisharat, 11 February 2024, Makhoul; Ayman Suleiman, 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik; “Noha” (name changed for security reasons), 5 March 2024, Al-Dhahiriya; Fayez al-Till, 1 September 2025, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[288] Interview in person with Yousef Bisharat, 11 February 2024, Makhoul.

^[289] B’Tselem, “Israeli settlers and solders drive away Palestinian father and sons grazing flock in pastureland”, 22 February 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLpfwtQlyNg; B’Tselem, “Khallet Makhoul, Jordan Valley: Israeli settler rams ATV into sheep belonging to Palestinians, injuring some”, https://www.btselem.org/node/215187 (accessed on 25 March 2025); B’Tselem, “Khallet Makhoul, Jordan Valley: Israeli settlers harassed a Palestinian shepherd”, https://www.btselem.org/node/216943 (accessed on 25 March 2025); B’Tselem, “Khallet Makhoul, Jordan Valley: Israeli settlers stole a horse from Palestinians”, https://www.btselem.org/node/216907 (accessed on 25 March 2025); Palestine News, X post: “Even animals are not spared from Israeli occupation barbarism”, 21 July 2023, https://x.com/DayPal_official/status/1682404287744188416?s=20; Quds News Network, X post: “The man in the photo is Yousef Besharat”, 26 October 2025, https://x.com/QudsNen/status/1982342162583876048?s=20

^[290] For further details, see sections 5.5.2 “Blurred lines: settlers or soldiers?” and 6.3.2 “Makhoul”.

^[291] ISM, X post: “March 15 – settlers from nearby illegal settlements came to harass Palestinian shepherds”, 16 March 2024, https://x.com/ISMPalestine/status/1769042110009794973

^[292] Al-Jarmaq News, X post: “An Israeli settler releases his sheep around citizens’ homes in Shaab al-Butum”, 21 July 2025, https://x.com/Aljarmaqnetnews/status/1947238008500953285

^[293] Al-Jarmaq News, X post: “Watch | An armed Israeli settler releases his sheep around the home of Palestinian Mohammad Jabareen”, 4 August 2025, https://x.com/Aljarmaqnetnews/status/1952282078994645276

^[294] Interview in person with Yousef Bisharat, 11 February 2024, Makhoul.

^[295] Haaretz, “Israeli settlers aren’t content with expelling Palestinian shepherds” (previously cited).

^[296] These communities included Al-Farisiya, Makhoul, Al-Meyta and Ein al-Hilweh in the northern Jordan Valley; Ras Ein al-Oja, Kufr Malik, Ein Samia and Ras al-Mu’arrajat in the central Jordan Valley; and Shi’b al-Butum and Zanuta south of Hebron.

^[297] Interviews in person with: “Hilmi” (name changed for security reasons), 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik; Yousef Bisharat, 11 February 2024, Makhoul; Muhammad Ka’abneh, 12 February 2024, Abu Falah.

^[298] Interview in person with: “Khalil” (name changed for security reasons), 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik; Interview in person with Ayman Suleiman, 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik.

^[299] Interview in person with Ayman Suleiman, 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik.

^[300] Interviews in person with Yousef Bisharat, 11 February 2024, Makhoul; three displaced residents from Zanuta, 1 September 2025, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[301] Palestine News, X post: “Even animals are not spared from Israeli occupation barbarism” (previously cited).

^[302] ISM refers to the International Solidarity Movement. See Glossary.

^[303] Interview in person with ISM protective presence volunteer “Farah”, 31 July 2025, Jerusalem.

^[304] Videos recorded by ISM on 17 July 2025 at Al-Meyta, shared with Amnesty International.

^[305] Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “Daily, yes, daily harassment and attacks”, 15 August 2024, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1823987651621364023

^[306] Eye on Palestine, Instagram post: “Once again, Israeli settlers deliberately run over a goose in the village Mufagara in Masafer Yatta”, 22 April 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIwOZPqqpj-/?igsh=MThkNzVzdjR5NzMwOA%3D%3D

^[307] Quds News Network, X post: “Watch | An Israeli settler stormed Palestinian lands in the village of Zanuta”, 8 September 2024, https://x.com/QudsNen/status/1832808515397673331; Yehuda Shaul, X post: “On Saturday, four settlers, among them Yinon Levi and Ely Federman, who are both under sanctions, arrived at the village to harass the residents”, 25 August 2024, https://x.com/YehudaShaul/status/1827712927635513632?s=20; B’Tselem, “Zanutah: Palestinian community driven from homes again despite Israeli undertaking before High Court”, 21 September 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVwyVrAQtrU&t=4s;

Video recorded by a resident in Zanuta, on file with Amnesty International.

^[308] Eye on Palestine, Instagram post: “Israeli settlers attack Palestinians shepherd in Susya village in Masafer Yatta”, 11 March 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHDrO0Mq4Ty/?igsh=MTlucXFtemtrNmszcA%3D%3D; Eye on Palestine, Instagram post: “Israeli settlers chase and attack Palestinian shepherd in the village of Tuba in Masafer Yatta”, 15 March 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHN57-5KmpN/?igsh=MXdhdG9jZzliYnM4dQ%3D%3D

^[309] Eye on Palestine, Instagram post: “Israeli settlers chase and attack Palestinian shepherd in the village of Tuba in Masafer Yatta” (previously cited).

^[310] Mohammad Hesham, X post: “These are scenes from the settlers rampage on Al-Fakhit village in my community Masafer Yatta”, 9 November 2025, https://x.com/M7mdHuraini/status/1987558080054267984?s=20; Kivsa Shchora, X post: 1/3 אתמול, סדרת תקיפות ברחבי מסאפר יטא [1/3 [“Yesterday, a series of attacks in Masafer Yatta”], 10 November 2025, https://x.com/masafering/status/1987826975503720939?s=20

^[311] B’Tselem, Settler Violence Updates List, https://www.btselem.org/settler_violence_updates_list (accessed on 1 June 2026).

^[312] Interview in person with “Ramiz” (name changed for security reasons), 2 March 2024, Al-Taybeh.

^[313] Interview in person with “Hilmi” (name changed for security reasons), 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik.

^[314] Interviews in person with: Muntasir al-Maliki, 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik; “Ramiz” (name changed for security reasons), 2 March 2024, Al-Taybeh; Fayez al-Till, 1 September 2025, Al-Dhahiriya; Mohammad Ka‘abneh, 12 February 2024, Abu Falah; two residents of Ras Ein al-Oja, 18 February 2024, Ras Ein al-Oja.

^[315] Interviews in person with four residents of Ras Ein al-Oja, 18 February 2024, Ras Ein al-’Oja.

^[316] Interviews in person with two residents of Ras Ein al-Oja, 18 February 2024, Ras Ein al-Oja.

^[317] Interviews in person with four residents of Ras Ein al-Oja, 18 February 2024, Ras Ein al-Oja.

^[318] Interview in person with Muntasir al-Maliki, 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik.

^[319] Israel Defense Forces, Spokesperson’s Unit, email response to Amnesty International’s letter addressed to Minister of Defense Israel Katz, offering the right of reply (previously cited).

^[320] Israel Defense Forces, Spokesperson’s Unit, email response to Amnesty International’s letter addressed to Minister of Defense Israel Katz, offering the right of reply (previously cited).

^[321] OCHA, “Humanitarian situation update #305”, 16 July 2025, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-situation-update-305-west-bank; OHCHR, “Occupied West Bank: Increased Israeli violence against Palestinians must stop”, 14 November 2025, https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-briefing-notes/2025/11/occupied-west-bank-increased-israeli-violence-against-palestinians; OCHA, “Humanitarian situation update #308”, 24 July 2025, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-situation-update-308-west-bank; OHCHR, The human rights situation in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem, 7 October – 20 November 2023.

^[322] Interviews in person with Adel al-Till, 5 March 2024, Al-Dhahiriya; Ayman Suleiman, 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik.

^[323] Interviews in person with: two residents of Shi’b al-Butum, 5 March 2024, Shi’b al-Butum; “Amina” (name changed for security reasons), 18 February 2024, Ras Ein al-Oja; ISM protective presence volunteer “Farah” (name changed for security reasons), 31 July 2025, Jerusalem. 

^[324] Interviews in person with two residents of Ras Ein al-Oja, 18 February 2024, Ras Ein al-Oja.

^[325] Interview in person with “Layla” (name changed for security reasons), 10 February 2024, Ein al-Hilweh.

^[326] Al-Haq, X post: “Hours after the ICJ delivered its advisory opinion” (previously cited).

^[327] Amnesty International, “Masafer Yatta community in occupied West Bank under imminent threat of forcible transfer”, 27 February 2025, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/02/israel-opt-masafer-yatta-community-in-occupied-west-bank-under-imminent-threat-of-forcible-transfer

^[328] See box on “Targeting livelihoods through accusations of theft” in section 5.4.2: “Killing, stealing and confiscating livestock” for more information on how Israeli settlers use such accusations to justify raids on Palestinian residents.

^[329] Amnesty International’s letter addressed to Minister of Defense Israel Katz and the IDF’s Spokesperson’s Unit’s response are both included in an annex to this report.

^[330] Israel Defense Forces, Spokesperson’s Unit, email response to Amnesty International’s letter addressed to Minister of Defense Israel Katz, offering the right of reply (previously cited).

^[331] Video evidence also shows settlers damaging a water basin in the village of Qaryut near Nablus. Shane Bauer, X post: “I watched young settlers seize a spring from Qaryut”, 29 February 2024, https://x.com/shane_bauer/status/1763212201006170491

^[332] Freyisrael, X post: עם אפס עניין ציבורי, מתנחלים מנהלים ביממה האחרונה מסע ברברי בסטנדרטים שטרם נראו [“With zero public attention, settlers have been waging a barbaric campaign over the past 24 hours on a scale not seen before”], 4 July 2024, https://x.com/freyisrael1/status/1808796770538758377

^[333] Youth of Sumud, Instagram post: “The village of Um Al Khair has been left without electricity after settlers destroyed main power line today”, 15 September 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOoV6nriJsX/?igsh=MWh0bXp1MmJ0MXRyZg%3D%3D; Green Olive Tours, Instagram post: “Today settlers cut the electrical lines and water infrastructure of Um il-Kheir”,15 September 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOobivTDJ8i/?igsh=bTB2aXdqYjdoeDV1; Ahmad Hathaleen, Instagram post: “While the settlers continue their actions and deliberately cut off the water and electricity lines, Khirbet Umm al-Khair is still without electricity or water”, 16 September 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOqYCeMCPh2/?igsh=OTRwb21jejRtbms4; Youth of Sumud; Instagram post: “Today Israeli extremist settlers under protection of Israeli occupation army destroyed electricity line that goes to Um Al-Khair village in Masafer Yatta”, 15 September 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOoBUnlCE7r/?igsh=d2preHVhaGZuOGht

^[334] Israel Defense Forces, Order no. 1651: Security Provisions (Judea and Samaria), Article E, section 67, 1 November 2009, https://menarights.org/sites/default/files/2016-11/IL_Order%20regarding%20Security%20Provisions_2009_EN_0.pdf

^[335] Interview in person with “Aisha” (name changed for security reasons), 11 February 2024, Al-Hadidiya.

^[336] Interview in person with “Aisha”, 11 February 2024, Al-Hadidiya.

^[337] Interviews in person with: Three displaced residents from Zanuta, 5 March 2024, Al-Dhahiriya; Fayez al-Till, 1 September 2025, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[338] See section 6.2: “Zanuta, South Hebron Hills”.

^[339] Yesh Din, “Settlers in uniform: Violence against Palestinians by Israelis in military uniforms”, 25 February 2026, https://www.yesh-din.org/en/settlers-in-uniform-violence-against-palestinians-by-israelis-in-military-uniforms

^[340] Yesh Din, “Settlers in uniform: Violence against Palestinians by Israelis in military uniforms” (previously cited).

^[341] Under Israel’s apartheid system, Palestinians are discouraged from reporting violations by the Israeli army given the risks that they may be treated as perpetrators and given the prevailing impunity enjoyed by Israeli soldiers.

^[342] Interviews in person with Mahdi Daraghmeh, 10 February 2024, Ein al-Hilweh; Khalil Jabareen, 5 March 2024, Shi’b al-Butum.

^[343] Amnesty International, “State-backed deadly rampage by Israeli settlers underscores urgent need to dismantle apartheid”, 22 April 2024, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/04/state-backed-deadly-rampage-by-israeli-settlers-underscores-urgent-need-to-dismantle-apartheid

^[344] Amnesty International, “State-backed deadly rampage by Israeli settlers underscores urgent need to dismantle apartheid” (previously cited).

^[345] Amnesty International, “Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territory: Release Ayman Bani Owda immediately”, 13 March 2026, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/0813/2026/en

^[346] For more details about his case, see sections 5.4.1: “Restricting access to grazing areas” and 6.3.2: “Makhoul”.

^[347] B’Tselem, “Israeli settlers and soldiers drive away Palestinian father and sons grazing flock in pastureland”, 22 February 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLpfwtQlyNg

^[348] B’Tselem, “Israeli settlers and soldiers drive away Palestinian father and sons grazing flock in pastureland” (previously cited).

^[349] Interviews in person with two residents of Shi’b al-Butum, 5 March 2024, Shi’b al-Butum.

^[350] Amnesty International, “Masafer Yatta community in the occupied West Bank under imminent threat of forcible transfer” (previously cited).

^[351] Videos recorded by residents in Shi’b al-Butum, shared with Amnesty International in 2024.

^[352] Video recorded by residents in Shi’b al-Butum, shared with Amnesty International in 2024.

^[353] Video recorded by residents in Shib al-Butum, shared with Amnesty International in 2024.

^[354] Video recorded by residents in Shi’b al-Butum, shared with Amnesty International in 2024.

^[355] Videos recorded by residents in Shi’b al-Butum, shared with Amnesty International in 2024.

^[356] OHCHR, Thematic Report: Israel’s Discriminatory Administration of the Occupied West Bank, Including East Jerusalem (previously cited), p. 15.

^[357] Human Rights Council, Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Including East Jerusalem, and in the Occupied Syrian Golan – Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to Human Rights Council, 1 February 2024, https://www.un.org/unispal/document/israeli-settlements-in-the-occupied-palestinian-territory-including-east-jerusalem-and-in-the-occupied-syrian-golan

^[358] A local governance body of all Israeli settlements in the Jordan Valley. Jordan Valley Regional Council, “Where desert meets oasis – Agriculture, heritage & adventure”, https://www.bikathayarden.co.il/english (accessed on 3 June 2026).

^[359] Interviews in person with three members of the Daraghmeh family, 10 February 2024, Ein al-Hilweh. See also Yesh Din, “HCJ petition: Jordan Valley Regional Council is acting without authority and is confiscating Palestinians’ livestock”, 10 March 2024, https://www.yesh-din.org/en/hcj-petition-jordan-valley-regional-council-is-acting-without-authority-and-is-confiscating-palestinians-livestock/    

^[360] Jordan Valley Regional Council, invoice addressed to Qadri Daraghmeh, 1 January 2024, on file with Amnesty International.

^[361] Interview in person with Qadri Daraghmeh, 10 February 2024, Ein al-Hilweh.

^[362] Interviews in person with three members of the Daraghmeh family, 10 February 2024, Ein al-Hilweh.

^[363] Interview in person with Qadri Daraghmeh, 10 February 2024, Ein al-Hilweh.

^[364] Interviews in person with three members of the Daraghmeh family, 10 February 2024, Ein al-Hilweh; Jordan Valley Regional Council, invoice addressed to Qadri Daraghmeh, 1 January 2024, on file with Amnesty International.

^[365] Israel, HCJ, Qadri Daraghmeh and others v. the Commander of IDF in the West Bank and others, petition, on file with Amnesty International.

^[366] Israel, HCJ, Qadri Daraghmeh and others v. the Commander of IDF in the West Bank and others,Ruling, 23 October 2025, on file with Amnesty International.

^[367] Michael Sfard, Daraghmeh family attorney in the case, email to Amnesty International, 9 May 2026, on file with Amnesty International.

^[368] Interview by audio call with Mahdi Daraghmeh, 11 December 2025.

^[369] Hague Regulations, Article 43.

^[370] ICCPR, Article 2, para 1.

^[371] See sections 5.6.2 “Emblematic cases of settlers enjoying impunity for abuses against Palestinians” and 6.3.3 “Al-Farisiya”.

^[372] Yesh Din, Law Enforcement on Israeli Civilians in the West Bank, 2005-2024, December 2024, https://www.yesh-din.org/en/data-sheet-law-enforcement-on-israeli-civilians-in-the-west-bank-settler-violence-2005-2024/; Al-Haq, Institutionalized Impunity, Israel’s Failure to Combat Settler Violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, 2013, https://www.alhaq.org/cached_uploads/download/alhaq_files/publications/institutionalised-impunity.pdf

^[373] Yesh Din, Law Enforcement on Israeli Civilians in the West Bank (Settler Violence) 2005-2025 (previously cited).

^[374] ICJ, Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem, advisory opinion (previously cited), para. 154.

^[375] See also Yesh Din, Law Enforcement on Israeli Civilians in the West Bank (Settler Violence) 2005-2025, (previously cited).

^[376] Yesh Din, Law Enforcement on Israeli Civilians in the West Bank (Settler Violence) 2005-2025, (previously cited).

^[377] B’Tselem, “No accountability”, 11 November 2017, https://www.btselem.org/accountability

^[378] Dan Galant, סמוטריץ’ מוחק את חווארה [“Smotrich erases Huwwara”], 7 March 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axQ1t8Q44jQ&t=12s (in Hebrew).

^[379] Amnesty International, “Impunity reigns for perpetrators of settler violence”, 3 March 2023, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/03/israel-opt-impunity-reigns-for-perpetrators-of-settler-violence

^[380] Mako, המסמך שהוגש לרמטכ”ל וחוות הדעת של ראש השב”כ על הוראת בן גביר [“The file submitted to the Chief of Staff and the opinion of the head of Shin Bet on Ben Gvir’s directive”], 23 November 2023, https://www.mako.co.il/tv-ilana_dayan/2023/Article-fcb9b89df8dfb81026.htm

^[381] N12, הנתונים חושפים: ירידה דרמטית בפתיחת תיקי אלימות נגד מתנחלים ביהודה ושומרון | פרסום ראשון [“Data reveals: a dramatic decline in the opening of violence-related cases against settlers in Judea and Samaria | First publication”], 12 November 2025, https://www.mako.co.il/news-law/e9f61eb3e8509910/Article-2e9a28c9c896a91026.htm (in Hebrew).

^[382] N12 News, רצף תקריות אלימות ביו”ש, בן גביר התגאה אחרי הפרסום: הפסיקו להתנכל לנערי הגבעות [“A series of violent incidents in the West Bank; Ben Gvir boasted following the N12 report: ‘They’ve stopped harassing the hilltop youth”], 13 November 2025, https://www.mako.co.il/news-military/be11d799e08b8910/Article-2521561dd8c7a91026.htm (in Hebrew); Jerusalem Post, “Ben-Gvir ‘proud’ of less policing of Hilltop Youth after fiery week of West Bank extremism”, 23 November 2025, https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-873795

^[383] Ynet, “Katz halts use of administrative detention orders against West Bank Settlers”, 22 November 2024, https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1uyv6pfje

^[384] Ynet, “Katz halts use of administrative detention orders against West Bank Settlers” (previously cited).

^[385] Times of Israel, “Katz releases all settlers in administrative detention, ties it to Palestinians’ release”, 17 January 2025, https://www.timesofisrael.com/katz-says-settlers-in-administrative-detention-to-go-free-ties-it-to-palestinian-release

^[386] Peace Now, “The Har Hevron Regional Council stands behind one of the settlers on whom sanctions were imposed”, 14 February 2024, https://peacenow.org.il/en/har-hevron-municipality-support-illegal-outpost

See also the contract published by Peace Now: Peace Now, “The Har Hevron Regional Council stands behind one of the settlers on whom sanctions were imposed” (previously cited). For more details about his involvement in abuses against residents of Zanuta, see section 6.2 “Zanuta, South Hebron Hills”.

^[387] AP, “Israeli settlers in the West Bank were hit with international sanctions. It only emboldened them”, 6 June 2024, https://apnews.com/article/us-sanctions-israeli-settlers-west-bank-palestinians-354f8b0a44b70c25bf013614b4775900; AP, “Chased away by Israeli settlers, these Palestinians returned to a village in ruins”, 8 September 2024, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-west-bank-b426fa223791d88e97bcd48d3e618081; Machsom Watch, “Zanuta – Malicious destruction of the school by the violent settler marked by President Biden, Yinon Levy”, 24 March 2024, https://www.machsomwatch.org/content_daily_report/zanuta-malicious-destruction-of-the-school-by-the-violent-settler-marked-by-president-biden-yinon-levy/; Peace Now, “The Har Hevron Regional Council stands behind one of the settlers on whom sanctions were imposed” (previously cited); B’Tselem, “Zanutah: Palestinian community driven from homes again despite Israeli undertaking before High Court” (previously cited).

^[388] Yehuda Shaul, X post: “Yesterday, Saturday Aug 24, Yinon Levi and Ely Federman”, 25 August 2024, https://x.com/YehudaShaul/status/1827712914515440016; ISM, X post: “August 31 – Violent Israeli settlers attacked the community of Zanuta”, 5 September 2024, https://x.com/ISMPalestine/status/1831573069833322868; B’Tselem, X post: “In a video footage obtained by B’Tselem, filmed by al-Hathaleen himself, Levi is seen shooting at him”, 10 August 2025, https://x.com/btselem/status/1954556876265238723; Yehuda Shaul, X post: “Breaking: 2.5 hours ago a bulldozer demolished 3 water cisterns and 2 water tanks”, 16 October 2023, https://x.com/YehudaShaul/status/1713917250703360436; Kivsa Shchora, X post: ינון לוי, חמוש באקדח, ועילי פדרמן [“Yinon Levi armed with pistol and Eli Federman”], 8 June 2024, https://x.com/masafering/status/1799504165850259867; Quds News Network, X post: “Watch I An Israeli settler stormed Palestinian lands in the village of Zanuta”, 5 September 2024, https://x.com/QudsNen/status/1832808515397673331; Andrey X, X post: “Israeli settler terror against Zanuta and Anizan”, 31 August 2024, https://x.com/the_andrey_x/status/1829913919776858401; Kivsa Shchora, X post:הבוקר שוב פלש המתנחל ינון לוי לכפר זנותא  [“This morning settler Yinon Levi again raided the village of Zanuta”], 9 September 2024, https://x.com/masafering/status/1833105987491803137

^[389] Official Journal of the European Union, “Council implementing regulation (EU) 2024/1172 of 19 April 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses”, 19 April 2024, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202401172   

^[390] UK, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, “UK sanctions extremist settlers in the West Bank”, 12 February 2024, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-sanctions-extremist-settlers-in-the-west-bank; U.S. Department of State, “Sanctions on Israeli Entity and Individual”, 28 August 2024, https://2021-2025.state.gov/sanctions-on-israeli-entity-and-individual/; Open Sanctions, Yinon Levi, (accessed on 1 June 2026), https://www.opensanctions.org/entities/NK-XzyYTiLkrLvkgg36WScSED/adjacent/sanctions/

^[391] U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, “Termination of emergency with respect to the situation in the West Bank; West Bank-related designation removals”, 24 January 2024, https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20250124  

^[392] Interview by audio call with activist Mattan Berner Kadish, present at the time of the incident, 22 April 2026; Quds News Network, X post: جرافة للمستوطنين تجري عمليات تجريف قرب مساكن الأهالي في خربة أم الخير [“A settlers’ bulldozer is carrying out land-levelling operations near residents’ homes in Khirbet Umm al-Kheir”], 28 July 2025, https://x.com/qudsn/status/1949755455364014267

^[393] Interview by audio call with Mattan Berner Kadish, 22 April 2026; Peace Now, “The Civil Administration issues demolition notices for 13 structures in Umm al-Khair”, 29 October 2025, https://peacenow.org.il/en/the-civil-administration-issues-demolition-notices-in-umm-al-khair-the-civil-administration-on-tuesday-oct-28-2025-issued-demolition-notices-for-13-palestinian-structures-in-the-village-of-um 

^[394] Interview by audio call with two protective presence activists in Umm al-Kheir, 28 July 2025; Haaretz News, X post: סרטון המתעד את פגיעתו של אחמד הדלין בידי כלי הנדסי כבד [“A video documenting Ahmad al‑Hathaleen being struck by heavy engineering machinery”], 28 July 2025, https://x.com/haaretznewsvid/status/1949917287575659000

^[395] Elhanan Gruner, X post: נשמטו לך כמה פרטים מהסיפור [“You left out some details from the story”], 28 July 2025, https://x.com/elchanangr/status/1949887507539050986

^[396] Interview by audio call with activist Mattan Berner Kadish, 22 April 2026; Nadav Weiman, X post: המתנחל ינון לוי מהמאחז מיתרים [“The settler Yinon Levi from the Mitrim outpost”], 28 July 2025, https://x.com/weimanadav/status/1949854720773734459

^[397] Nadav Weiman, X post: המתנחל ינון לוי מהמאחז מיתרים  [“The settler Yinon Levi from the Meitarim outpost”] (previously cited).

^[398] Yuval Abraham, X post: ינון לוי, המתנחל שהרג את עודה הדאלין, טען בבית המשפט שזה לא הוא [“Yinon Levi, the settler who killed Awda al‑Hathaleen, claimed in court that it wasn’t him”], 10 August 2025, https://x.com/yuval_abraham/status/1954555899315441857; B’Tselem, X post: “In video footage obtained by B’Tselem, filmed by al-Hathaleen himself, Levi is seen shooting at him” (previously cited).

^[399] Yuval Abraham, X post: ינון לוי, המתנחל שהרג את עודה הדאלין, טען בבית המשפט שזה לא הוא

[“Yinon Levi, the settler who killed Awda al‑Hathaleen, claimed in court that it wasn’t him”] (previously cited); B’Tselem, X post: “In video footage obtained by B’Tselem, filmed by al-Hathaleen himself, Levi is seen shooting at him” (previously cited).

^[400] Yuval Abraham, X post: בתיעוד נוסף רואים את עודה נופל מהירייה הזו [“In additional footage, Awda can be seen falling from this gunshot”], 10 August 2025, https://x.com/yuval_abraham/status/1954555901295174090

^[401] Interview by audio call with two protective presence activists in Umm al-Kheir, 28 July 2025; Palestine Network for Dialogue, قوات الاحتلال تنتشر وتغلق مناطق في خربة أم الخير [“Occupation forces deploy and close off areas in Khirbet Umm al‑Kheir”], 28 July 2025, https://x.com/paldf/status/1949848052463816925

^[402] Interview by audio call with two protective presence activists in Umm al-Kheir, 28 July 2025.

^[403] Yair Dvir, spokesperson at B’Tselem, email to Amnesty International, 29 April 2026, on file with Amnesty International; Kivsa Shchora, Instagram post: “Six residents of Umm Al-Khair were not with their families when they learned that their fellow villager had been killed by a settler gunfire”, 29 July 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMsQqetNH9G/?igsh=dmZrZ3cycmt2cDJl

^[404] Interview by audio call with activist Mattan Berner-Kadish, 22 April 2026.

^[405] Israel, Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court, State of Israel v. Yinon Levi, Decision, 29 July 2025, on file with Amnesty International.

^[406] Israel, Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court, State of Israel vs. Yinon Levi, Decision, 29 July 2025, on file with Amnesty International. See also Guardian, “Israeli police release settler accused of killing Palestinian activist”, 31 July 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/31/israeli-police-release-settler-accused-of-killing-palestinian-activist 

^[407] Interview by audio call with activist Mattan Berner Kadish, 22 April 2026; B’Tselem, “Um al-Kheir, South Hebron Hills: A settler shot and killed peace activist Awdah al-Hathaleen, and soldiers arrested the victim’s relatives on his orders”, 14 August 2025, https://www.btselem.org/video/20250810_the_killing_of_awdah_al_hathaleen_in_um_al_kheir_south_hebron_hills#full

^[408] Channel 4 News, “Confronting Israeli settler accused of killing unarmed Palestinian activist”, 29 August 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5C7mFExBVk; Yuval Abraham, X post: “Israeli courts released violent settler Yinon Levy”, 4 August 2025, https://x.com/yuval_abraham/status/1952294722342375718; Al Jazeera English, Instagram post: “Yinon is a murderer who killed a very beloved person”, 2 October 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPU4ECBCjla/?igsh=YXNuOHZlc2JvMm92

^[409] Israel, District Court of Jerusalem (sitting as the Administrative Court), Khalil al-Hathaleen and others v. IDF Commander in the West Bank and others, Decision, 12 October 2025, on file with Amnesty International.

^[410] Interview in person with “Amir” (name changed for security reasons), a resident of Umm al-Kheir, 23 May 2026, Umm al-Kheir.

^[411] Al Jazeera, “Israeli settler who killed Awdah Hathaleen still harassing Palestinians”, 2 October 2025, https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2025/10/2/israeli-settler-who-killed-awdah-hathaleen-still-harassing-palestinians

^[412] Green Olive Tours, Instagram post: “Emergency update: Let Umm il-Kheir live”, 15 September 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOobivTDJ8i/?igsh=bTB2aXdqYjdoeDV1;
Kivsa Shchora, Instagram post: “Another day of torture and destruction aimed at expelling the residents of Umm al-Khair”, 15 September 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOouoSDDSUy/?igsh=MWJ4aWM5eGswdGtoOA==; Ahmad Hathaleen, Instagram post: “Now the settlers cut off the electricity line to Khirbet Umm al-Khair”, 15 September 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DOn8AKLiG51/?img_index=2&igsh=cm1uYWx3a3gzcmoz; Ahmad Hathaleen, Instagram post: “While the settlers continue their actions and deliberately cut off the water and electricity lines, Khirbet Umm al-Khair is still without electricity or water”, 15 September 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOqYCeMCPh2/?igsh=OTRwb21jejRtbms4  

^[413] Times of Israel, “Prosecutors say they’ll indict settler accused of killing Palestinian activist”, 16 February 2026, https://www.timesofisrael.com/prosecutors-said-set-to-indict-settler-accused-of-killing-palestinian-activist/

^[414] Interview by audio call with Awda al-Hathaleen’s family’s lawyer, 15 May 2026.

^[415] For more details see section 6.2 “Zanuta, South Hebron Hills”.

^[416] Council of the European Union, “Extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as violent activists, blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza: five individuals and three entities sanctioned under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime”, 15 July 2024,

https://tinyurl.com/3d2j5emj; Association of Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), “Remove a Violent settler from the West Bank and ensure Palestinian farmers are protected”, 11 April 2026, https://www.english.acri.org.il/post/remove-a-violent-settler-from-the-west-bank-and-ensure-palestinian-farmers-are-protected

^[417] Peace Now, “Peace Now and Jordan Valley Activists filed a petition for the eviction of Moshe Sharvit’s outpost amid international sanctions”, 23 May 2024, https://peacenow.org.il/en/shalom-now-and-the-jordan-valley-activists-filed-a-petition-for-the-evacuation-of-moshe-sharvits-outpost-amid-international-sanctions

^[418] Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Asset freeze for Israeli settlers involved in violent acts”, 23 July 2024, https://www.mofa.go.jp/me_a/me1/il/pressite_000001_00444.html; United Kingdom Government, UK Sanctions List, “Sharvit Moshe”, https://search-uk-sanctions-list.service.gov.uk/designations/GHR0113/Individual; Government of the United Kingdom, “UK sanctions extremist settlers in the West Bank”, 12 February 2024, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-sanctions-extremist-settlers-in-the-west-bank; Government of Canada, “Canada imposes sanctions on perpetrators of extremist settler violence against civilians in West Bank”, 16 May 2024,https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2024/05/canada-imposes-sanctions-on-perpetrators-of-extremist-settler-violence-against-civilians-in-west-bank.html; Council of the European Union, Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 Concerning Restrictive Measures against Serious Human Rights Violations and Abuses, 7 December 2020, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2020/1999/oj

^[419]Council of the European Union, Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 Concerning Restrictive Measures against Serious Human Rights Violations and Abuses (previously cited); Government of the United Kingdom, “New UK sanctions target illegal outposts and organisations supporting extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank”, 15 October 2024, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-sanctions-target-illegal-outposts-and-organisations-supporting-extremist-israeli-settlers-in-the-west-bank

The outpost was also briefly sanctioned by the USA in March 2024, before President Trump reversed all sanctions imposed by the Biden administration against Israeli settlers and outposts in January 2025. See: U.S. Department of the Treasury, “Specially designated nationals list update”, 14 March 2024,

https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20240314; U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, “Termination of emergency with respect to the situation in the West Bank; West Bank-related designation removals” (previously cited).

^[420] Israel Hayom, להקים עשרות חוות נוספות בתקופה הקרובה: הושקה תוכנית בעלות עשרות מיליונים לאבטחה ביו”ש [“Establishing dozens of additional farms in the near future: a tens‑of‑millions budget plan for security in the West Bank was launched”], 26 June 2024, https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/local/article/15976684 (in Hebrew). For further details about the initiative see section 4.3 “Annexation-oriented laws and bills”.

^[421] Haaretz, “‘There’s war, blood is boiling’: settlers force Palestinians out of their West Bank homes”, 17 October 2023, https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-17/ty-article-magazine/.premium/theres-war-blood-is-boiling-settlers-force-palestinians-out-their-homes-in-west-bank/0000018b-3d35-d5b8-a78b-fd756b2e0000

BBC, “Seizing the West Bank: Extremist Israeli settlers in control – BBC World Service Documentaries”, 3 September 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxLDYkX7l9A

^[422] Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “On Thursday, 12.10.23 the Ashtayyeh family from Hamra community, were taken out at gunpoint by the settler Moshe Sharvit”, 15 October 2023, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1713536573961130477; BBC World Service, “Seizing the West Bank: extremist settlers in control”, 3 September 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxLDYkX7l9A

^[423] Interview by video call with Shane Bauer, journalist who recorded the Palestinian man’s testimony, 24 March 2026; Shane Bauer, X post: “The Palestinians from those houses told me after October 7”, 29 February 2024, https://x.com/shane_bauer/status/1763216119630790816; Jordan Valley Activists, Facebook post: “On Thursday, 12 October 2023, the Shtayyeh family was taken out of the Hamra community at gunpoint by settler Moshe Sharvit,” 15 October 2023, https://www.facebook.com/JordanValleyActivists/videos/273264245064915/?t=73; New Yorker, “The Israeli settlers attacking their Palestinian neighbours”, 26 February 2024, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/03/04/israel-west-bank-settlers-attacks-palestinians

^[424] Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “1/5 March 17 A group of Palestinian residents who were forced of their homes in October, requested that we accompany them to visit their lands and property in Hamra area”, 19 March 2024, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1770209299702157363; Younis Tirawi, X post: “I don’t want to come. I want to go home”, 17 March 2024, https://x.com/ytirawi/status/1769309432322646265?s=20; ACRI, “Remove a violent settler from the West Bank and ensure Palestinian farmers are protected” (previously cited).

^[425] Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “Yesterday too, Moshe Sharvit rose to intimidate and harm people of Beit Hassan and their livelihood”, 8 September 2024, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1832649016812912837?s=20; Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “That’s Moshe Sharvit, violent settler from illegal outpost near Hamra-Jordan Valley”, 21 February 2023, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1627989065227280388?s=20; Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “Multiple sanctioned settler Moshe Sharvit did not manage to sabotage the olive harvest at Hamra yesterday”, 29 October 2024, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1851272898926809473?s=20; Younis Tirawi, X post: “The settler Moshe Sharvit, who established the “Emek Tirza” terror outpost in the northern Jordan Valley”, 17 February 2024, https://x.com/ytirawi/status/1758843228298613173?s=20; Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “On Thursday, 12.10.23 the Ashtayyeh family from Hamra community, were taken out at gunpoint by settler Moshe Sharvit”, 15 October 2023, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1713536573961130477?s=20; Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “1/5 March 17 A group of Palestinian residents who were forced off their homes in October, requested that we accompany them to visit their lands and property in the Hamra area” (previously cited); Younis Tirawi, X post: “Ein Shibli, West Bank, I want to go home”, 17 March 2024, https://x.com/ytirawi/status/1769306612328522145?s=20; Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “On Tuesday morning 15.7.25, settler terrorist Moshe Sharvit from the illegal outpost “Neve Tirza Farm” took his cattle herd to the cultivated fields of the farms of the Palestinian town “Beit Hassan”, 22 July 2025, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1947631636377371123?s=20; Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “1/2 Yesterday, accompanied by the army, sanctioned Israeli settler Moshe Sharvit came on his ATV to chase away a shepherd and his herd from East Hamra”, 24 February 2025, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1761329361033028080?s=20; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Moshe Sharvit and other violent settlers”, 2 December 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DRwtHjbjCCx/?img_index=5; Jordan Vallery Activists, Facebook post: “On Thursday, October 12, 2023, the Shtayyeh family was taken out of the Hamra community at gunpoint by the settler Moshe Sharvit” (previously cited); Andrey X, Instagram post: “I genuinely lost my shit when they started arresting the Palestinians”, 16 April 2026, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXMf_wpDAUB/?igsh=MXRud2FoZmwyeWN6cw%3D%3D; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Since April 8, settler Moshe Sharvit, his helpers gang, and his cattle have been invading, infesting, and harassing the Palestinian community of Lower Hamra”, 25 April 2026, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXjPWM5tpxJ/?igsh=cnZ0ZDBpM3ByYnZn; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “There are occasional pogroms and there are ongoing ethnic cleansing operations”, 21 June 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/CtwtkUKN8ui/?igsh=MWtvYXdxdGE2dDF4bg%3D%3D&img_index=1; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “The daily abuse of settlers Sharvit and Libby continues under the auspices of the IDF”, 29 August 2024, https://www.instagram.com/p/C_RQGDHtGY6/?img_index=5&igsh=N2p5OXQ3eTdpdzN2; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Breaking: Today at noon, violent settler Moshe Sharvit arrived from Havat Emek Tirza outpost in Hamra with some Hilltop helpers to the home of a family of Palestinian shepherd”, 15 March 2024, https://www.instagram.com/p/C4itN37rrjH/?img_index=1&igsh=cnRzdjVkNW13bTBp; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Lower Hamra ‘Why are you attacking me?’ the attacker asked”, 5 May 2026, https://www.instagram.com/p/DX8yfMKjbmF/?igsh=YzF3Y3M2cXd1cHBu

^[426] Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “On Tuesday morning 15.7.25 settler terrorist Moshe Sharvit from illegal outpost “Neve Tirza Farm” took his cattle herd to the cultivated fields of the farms of the Palestinian town “Beit Hassan” as he does on daily basis”, 22 July 2025, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1947631636377371123

^[427] Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Hamra, Jordan Valley: ‘Moshe the settler decided’, ‘Moshe is the sovereign’, literally ‘Moshe is our ruler’”, 19 August 2022, https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChcMJqSpY1U/?igsh=N3NhYnU1Nmk2ZWxn

^[428] Peace Now, “Peace Now and Jordan Valley Activists filed a petition for the eviction of Moshe Sharvit’s outpost amid international sanctions” (previously cited); Israel, HCJ, Peace Now and Hagit Ofran v. IDF Commander in the West Bank and Head of the Civil Administration, petition, 22 May 2024, https://peacenow.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Petition_Moshes_Farm.pdf

^[429] Israel, HCJ, Peace Now and Hagit Ofran v. IDF Commander in the West Bank and Head of the Civil Administration, Decision, 24 July 2024, on file with Amnesty International.

^[430] Israel, Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court, Abu Seif and others v. Moshe Sharvit, Decision, 3 March 2025, on file with Amnesty International.

^[431] Israel, HCJ, the Association of Civil Rights in Israel and Bimkom v. IDF Commander in the West Bank and the Civil Administration, petition, 26 June 2025, 01368b_c8fef4ce352d4d40bd1050597834673d.pdf

^[432] Israel, HCJ, the Association of Civil Rights in Israel and Bimkom v. IDF Commander in the West Bank and the Civil Administration, Decision ,11 March 2026, 01368b_9ad9823860e5480e9c3ce5298c4326b0.pdf

^[433] Israel, HCJ, the Association of Civil Rights in Israel and Bimkom v. IDF Commander in the West Bank and the Civil Administration, Update ,10 April 2026, https://01368b10-57e4-4138-acc3-01373134d221.usrfiles.com/ugd/01368b_9e8756c7a5334d15b3de26c2cf41f815.pdf

^[434] On 5 May 2026, Moshe Sharvit was filmed as he was walking around two tractors and a water truck in Wadi al-Fari’a. See Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Lower Hamra ‘Why are you attacking me?’ the attacker asked”, 5 May 2026, https://www.instagram.com/p/DX8yfMKjbmF/?igsh=YzF3Y3M2cXd1cHBu

^[435] Andrey X, Instagram post: “I genuinely lost my shit when they started arresting the Palestinians” (previously cited).

^[436] Instagram post: “Lower Hamra 25.4.26”, 25 April 2026, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXjPWM5tpxJ/?igsh=cnZ0ZDBpM3ByYnZn

^[437] Peace Now, “Peace Now and Jordan Valley Activists filed a petition for the eviction of Moshe Sharvit’s outpost amid international sanctions” (previously cited).

^[438] Tirza Valley Farm, https://www.chan-baemek.com (accessed on 3 June 2026).

^[439] Peace Now, “The ministry of Agriculture admits: we fund associations that work in illegal outposts”, 29 July 2021, https://peacenow.org.il/en/hashomer-yosh-and-allocations 

^[440] Yesh Din and Physicians for Human Rights, Displaced Communities, Forgotten Places, Israel’s Forcible Transfer of Palestinians in the West Bank, March 2025, https://www.phr.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Displacedcommunities_ENG.pdf, p. 51; Amnesty International, Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians (previously cited), pp. 23, 120, 133, 137, 235; International Crisis Group, Stemming Settler Violence at Its Root, 2024, https://www.crisisgroup.org/rpt/middle-east-north-africa/east-mediterranean-mena-israelpalestine/246-stemming-israeli-settler-violence, p. 8.

^[441] Peace Now, “Some facts about the Hashomer Yosh organization”, 29 August 2024, https://peacenow.org.il/en/some-facts-about-the-hashomer-yosh-organization

^[442] See Hashomer Yosh official website [English version] https://hashomeryosh.org/home-en/ (accessed on 26 May 2026).

^[443] The data is based on Hashomer Yosh’s own reporting to the Ministry of Justice’s online database of registered NGOs. It does not provide a breakdown of the type of activities performed by volunteers. Guidestar, השומר יו”ש – ארגון השמירה ביהודה ושומרון  [“Hashomer Yosh – the Judea and Samaria guarding organization”], https://www.guidestar.org.il/organization/580575629 (in Hebrew), “Overview”.

^[444] Hashomer Yosh official website, https://web.archive.org/web/20240228121117/https://hashomeryosh.org/points/%D7%97%D7%95%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%A2%D7%9E%D7%A7-%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%A6%D7%94/. As of 8 June 2026, a map showing outposts supported by Hashomer Yosh was being updated (accessed on 8 June 2026)

^[445] Jalal Abu Khater, X post: “Israeli Occupation Forces arrived with bulldozers hired from a private company owned by a settler”, 23 November 2022, https://x.com/JalalAK_jojo/status/1595344884961091585?s=20; B’Tselem, X post: “Moments ago the school was completely demolished”, 23 November 2022, https://x.com/btselem/status/1595344066237063169?s=20

^[446] Kivsa Shchora, X post: ”This morning, the settler Yinon Levi again raided the village of Zanuta”, 9 September 2024, https://x.com/masafering/status/1833105987491803137

^[447] Yehuda Shaul, X post: “After expelling residents from Khirbet Zanuta, settlers came and fenced the area”, 15 February 2024, https://x.com/YehudaShaul/status/1758122975386014057?s=20; Yehuda Shaul, X post: “Please also pay attention to the fact that many of the settlers who fenced off Khirbet Zanuta are wearing branded sweatshirts of Hashomer Yosh”, 15 February 2024, https://x.com/YehudaShaul/status/1758122997682979071?s=20

^[448] For further details, see section 6.2 “Zanuta, South Hebron Hills”.

^[449] U.S. Department of State, “Sanctions on Israeli entity and individuals”, 28 August 2024, https://2021-2025.state.gov/sanctions-on-israeli-entity-and-individual

^[450] The Hill, “Online fundraisers for violent West Bank settlers raised thousands, despite international sanctions”, 23 February 2024, https://thehill.com/homenews/ap/ap-top-headlines/ap-online-fundraisers-for-violent-west-bank-settlers-raised-thousands-despite-international-sanctions

^[451] Office of Financial Sections Implementation HM Treasury, Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets in UK, 14 October 2025, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68edf492a8398380cb4acffe/Global_Human_Rights.pdf

^[452] Jgive, About Hashomer Yosh, https://www.jgive.com/new/en/ils/charity-organizations/2669 (accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[453] Guidestar, השומר יו”ש – ארגון השמירה ביהודה ושומרון [“Hashomer Yosh – the guarding organization in Judea and Samaria”], https://www.guidestar.org.il/organization/580575629/govsupport (in Hebrew), “Governmental Support”.

^[454] Guidestar, השומר יו”ש – ארגון השמירה ביהודה ושומרון [“Hashomer Yosh – the guarding organization in Judea and Samaria”],
https://www.guidestar.org.il/organization/580575629/finances (in Hebrew) “Financial Data”.

^[455] Guidestar,השומר יו”ש – ארגון השמירה ביהודה ושומרון [“Hashomer Yosh – the guarding organization in Judea and Samaria”] (previously cited). 

^[456] Guidestar,השומר יו”ש – ארגון השמירה ביהודה ושומרון [“Hashomer Yosh – the guarding organization in Judea and Samaria”],(previously cited). 

^[457] Guidestar, השומר יו”ש – ארגון השמירה ביהודה ושומרון [“Hashomer Yosh – the guarding organization in Judea and Samaria”], https://www.guidestar.org.il/organization/580575629/finances (accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[458] Hashomer Yosh, Facebook post: פגשנו את שר החקלאות אבי דיכטר [“We met with the Minister of Agriculture, Avi Dichter”], 21 June 2024, https://www.facebook.com/Hashomeryosh/posts/pfbid0asvS4vQBqVv4Gg9ZBECi2sMtGuVckHiwyPyjsP2z3Gm9Rr7jaE8WVPWsRUmQb48Xl; Hashomer Yosh, Facebook post: שמחים לעדכן על סיור מוצלח עם חבר הכנסת אלמוג כהן [“We are pleased to share an update on a successful tour with Knesset Member Almog Cohen”], 19 June 2024, https://www.facebook.com/Hashomeryosh/posts/pfbid02tB1rDy6seE5x5h24UvWFLRg9VB9QNMMrabjHLTNrwdAsGiKM4ppDwuT42X9bU3wAl; Hashomer Yosh, Facebook post:ח”כ אוהד טל, יו”ר הועדה למיזמים ציבוריים הגיע לסיור בחוות החקלאיות בגוש עציון  [“Knesset Member Ohad Tal, Chair of the Committee for Public Initiatives visited the agricultural farms in Gush Etzion”], 30 April 2024, https://www.facebook.com/Hashomeryosh/posts/pfbid0ssDTjPcsb2pcswgvprcrYWCrjAMxa8NzpQEo5bP5UiLafj7GcyWnFpLK14KwpTsLl; Hashomer Yosh,השרה עידית סילמן עידית בנטיעות השומר יו”ש [“Minister Idit Silman took part in tree planting with Hashomer Yosh”], 27 January 2024, https://www.facebook.com/Hashomeryosh/posts/pfbid02XfnbPvSqLwqVpacDSGEo4qEfL2uPhfZy4TDNTNAobSV2SuyEz5isiA7rtApasPENl?rdid=1ZtyZCy0119FGvV4; Hashomer Yosh, Facebook post: שר התפוצות עמיחי שיקלי הצטרף לסיור שמירה בחוות קשואלה [“Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli joined a security patrol tour at Kashuela Farm”], 13 March 2025, https://www.facebook.com/Hashomeryosh/posts/pfbid024AmoXxYQWBuJ2QXYzSovnjGtDLYgRadDU9MPX2sQnaPnMP6cZNCsGC46ctna9Xxrl?rdid=TiGcX8bmBeXdcYpO; Ariel Kallner, Facebook post: העמותות שממומנות ע”י מדינות זרות [“NGOs funded by foreign governments”], 23 April 2025, https://www.facebook.com/arielkalner/posts/pfbid0y2Qq9WFE3HAsK9iRopEYxVsZpodbuyT2sHGxFYZQcqQm2tPZHQk1CYz8KeYodXLJl?rdid=6nJXTAjIjGJy8XJs; Hashomer Yosh, Facebook post: התרגשנו לקבל את תמיכתו של עמיחי רחמים [“We were pleased to receive the support of Amichai Rechamim”], 18 May 2025, https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=711877878010076&rdid=ZhpfEcmGpnmq9Hik

^[459] Hashomer Yosh, Facebook post: פגשנו את שר החקלאות אבי דיכטר [“We met with the Minister of Agriculture, Avi Dichter”] (previously cited).

^[460] Hashomer Yosh, Facebook post: שר התפוצות עמיחי שיקלי הצטרף לסיור שמירה בחוות קשואלה [“Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli joined a security patrol tour at Kashuela Farm”] (previously cited).

^[461] Interview in person with Muhammad Ka’abneh, head of Ein Samia Bedouin community, 12 February 2024, Abu Falah.

^[462] Kufr Malik is in Area B, but most of the agricultural and grazing land belonging to the village is located in Area C.

^[463] Interviews in person with three residents of Kufr Malik, 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik.

^[464] Interview in person with Muhammad Ka’abneh, 12 February 2024, Abu Falah; Al-Jazeera,رحيل صامت.. هكذا هجّرت إسرائيل تجمعات سكانية فلسطينية بالكامل [“A silent departure… this is how Israel displaced entire Palestinian communities”], 19 August 2023, https://tinyurl.com/pmtxnwf8

^[465] Proving land ownership in the West Bank is very complicated given the fragmented and overlapping legal systems established during the Ottoman, British, Jordanian, Israeli and Palestinian administrations of the territory. Successive regimes imposed diverse land laws and mapping standards, creating incomplete, incompatible cadastral records, which still hinder registration in many areas in the West Bank. Moreover, in rural and Bedouin areas, land is often collectively managed or informally inherited without formal registration. See United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Land Governance and Land Rights in Palestine: Analysis and Recommendations, January 2024, https://unhabitat.org/sites/default/files/2024/02/land_governance_and_land_rights_in_palestine_analysis_and_recommendations.pdf

State of Palestine,Ministry of Public Works and Housing, State of Palestine Input on the Land and Adequate Housing Questionnaire, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/housing/cfis/cfi-land/subm-land-adequate-housing-sta-4-state-palestine.pdf

^[466] Interview in person with Muhammad Ka’abneh, 12 February 2024, Abu Falah. See also: OCHA, “Palestinian community compelled to relocate amid Israeli settlement practices”, 25 May 2023,

https://www.ochaopt.org/content/palestinian-community-compelled-relocate-amid-israeli-settlement-practices

^[467] Interview in person with Ayman Suleiman, 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik.

^[468] Peace Now, Settlements and Outposts Peace Now 12.2025, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Hs_JdYPEs4oXs09zG3Hd4tWBpYo0ImkJ6WuXAEgMi0U/edit (accessed on 3 June 2026).

^[469] Peace Now, Settlements and Outposts Peace Now 12.2025, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Hs_JdYPEs4oXs09zG3Hd4tWBpYo0ImkJ6WuXAEgMi0U/edit (accessed on 3 June 2026).

^[470] Peace Now, “Israel’s security cabinet decided to establish 19 new settlements”, (previously cited)

^[471] OCHA, “Humanitarian situation update 320 West Bank”, 4 September 2025,

https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/humanitarian-situation-update-320-west-bank

Jerusalem Water Undertaking, توقف ضخ المياه .. مصلحة مياه محافظة القدس تستنكر اعتداء المستوطنين في عين سامية وتطالب بوقف هذه الاعتداءات  [“Water pumping has been halted. The Jerusalem Water Undertaking condemns the attack by settlers in Ein Samia and calls for an end to these assaults”], 27 January 2026, https://www.jwu.org/jwu/?p=3902&lang=ar (in Arabic).

^[472] Interviews in person with two residents of Kufr Malik, 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik. Interview in person with Muhammad Ka’abneh, 12 February 2024, Abu Falah.

^[473] Interviews in person with four residents of Kufr Malik, 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik.

^[474] Interviews in person with three residents of Kufr Malik, 2 March 2024; interviews in person with two residents of Kufr Malik, 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik.

^[475] Kerem Navot, The Bad Samaritan, Interactive map, https://maps.keremnavot.org/herding/?lang=en (accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[476] Interview in person with Muntasir al-Maliki, 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik.

^[477] Interview in person with “Hilmi”, 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik.

^[478] Amnesty International, Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians (previously cited), p. 221.

^[479] Interview in person with Wael al-Qutt, attorney at the Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC), 9 October 2025. For example, on 11 January 2023, the Israeli Civil Administration and army dismantled and confiscated a tent belonging to a family of six, according to B’Tselem. See B’Tselem, “Israel dismantles and confiscates tent that was home to Palestinian family of six”, 17 January 2023, https://youtu.be/XtAg7vsiFTg?si

^[480] B’Tselem, “‘Ein Samia, Ramallah District: Incessant harassment by settlers and theft of animals, carried out under the protection of the police, forced the community’s residents to abandon their place of residence”, 23 May 2023, https://www.btselem.org/node/215118

^[481] Interviews in person with two displaced residents from Ein Samia, 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik; interview in person with Muhammad Ka’abneh, 12 February 2024, Abu Falah; interviews in person with two residents of Kufr Malik, 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik; interview in person with Wael Al-Qutt, attorney at JLAC, 9 October 2025, Ramallah.

^[482] Interviews in person with four displaced residents from Ein Samia, 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik; interview in person with Muhammad Ka’abneh, 12 February 2024, Abu Falah; interviews in person with three displaced residents from Ein Samia, 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik.

^[483] Interviews in person with four displaced residents from Ein Samia, 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik; interview in person with Muhammad Ka’abneh, 12 February 2024, Abu Falah.

^[484] Interview in person with “Rahma” (name changed for security reasons), 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik.

^[485] Interview in person with “Khalil” (name changed for security reasons), 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik.

^[486] Interview in person with “Hilmi” (name changed for security reasons), 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik.

^[487] Lema, X post: “Yesterday, 200 residents of ‘Ein Samia, a Palestinian village near Ramallah, supported by the EU were forced to self-explosion to leave their land,” 23 May 2023, https://x.com/Lemapal/status/1660977563865317376; France 24 Arabic, أهالي “عين سامية” يرحلون بسبب اعتداءات المستوطنين الإسرائيليين عليهم  [“Residents of “Ein Samia” leave due to attacks by Israeli settlers against them”], 24 May 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyPoOYYk0-E; B’Tselem, “Israel forcibly transfers the community of Ein Samia, May 2023”, 23 May 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtcMiq6ZaK4 

^[488] Interview in person with Muhammad Ka’abneh, 12 February 2024, Abu Falah.

^[489] Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions, “Ein Samiya and Jubbet Al Dib Schools Demolished”, 18 August 2023, https://icahd.org/2023/08/18/ein-samiya-school-demolished; B’Tselem, “New school for children of ‘Ein Samia community under imminent threat of demolition”, 5 September 2022, https://www.btselem.org/20220905_ein_samia_school_under_imminent_demolition_threat

^[490] Interview in person with Wael Al-Qutt, attorney at JLAC, 9 October 2025, Ramallah.

^[491] Itay Epsthain, X post: “Breaking: ahead of the school year, Israel destroyed this morning the donor funded school of Ein Samia, a Palestinian community of northeast of Ramallah”, 17 August 2023, https://x.com/EpshtainItay/status/1692070515383382338; OCHA, “Elementary school of Ein Samiya demolished”, 17 August 2023, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/elementary-school-ein-samiya-demolished; B’Tselem, X post: “This morning Israel demolished the school at Ein Samia”, 17 August 2023, https://x.com/btselem/status/1692129706290577767

^[492] Interview in person with Wael al-Qutt, attorney at JLAC, 9 October 2025, Ramallah. See also: The Office of the European Union Representative (West Bank and Gaza Strip, UNRWA), “The European Union and like-minded countries visit Ein Samiya school amid threats of its demolition”, 16 February 2022, https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/palestine-occupied-palestinian-territory-west-bank-and-gaza-strip/european-union-and-minded-countries-visit-ein-samiya-school-amid-threats-its-demolition_en?s=206

^[493] Interview in person with Wael al-Qutt, attorney at JLAC, 9 October 2025, Ramallah.

^[494] Interview in person with Muntasir al-Maliki, 2 March 2025, Kufr Malik.

^[495] Wafa, مستعمرون يجددون اعتداءهم على آبار مياه عين سامية شرق رام الله [“Colonists renew their attacks on the water wells of Ein Samiya, east of Ramallah”], 14 July 2025, https://www.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/125608

^[496] Jerusalem Water Undertaking, Facebook post: اقتحام وتخريب ابار عين سامية [“Raid and vandalism of the Ein Samiya water wells“], 14 July 2025, https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CPRPxyjAb/; Press TV, X post: “Water under siege: Israeli settlers halt vital supply from Ein Samia wells”, 23 July 2025, https://x.com/PressTV/status/1947831530459369782

(Press TV is an Iranian state-owned news channel.) See also Haaretz,מתנחלים השתלטו על מעיין והשחיתו בארות שמשמשות כ־30 כפרים פלסטיניים [“Settlers took over a spring and vandalized wells serving around 30 Palestinian villages”], 14 July 2025, https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2025-07-24/ty-article/.premium/00000198-3740-d01f-a3bd-ff408c2d0000; Wafa,مستعمرون يجددون اعتداءهم على آبار مياه عين سامية شرق رام الله  [“Colonists renew their attacks on the water wells of Ein Samiya, east of Ramallah“] (previously cited).

^[497] Al Jazeera, “Palestinian officials announce closure of water pumps after settler attacks”, 21 July 2025, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/7/21/live-israel-pounds-gaza-as-palestinians-mourn-aid-seekers-killed-at-zikim?update=3848601

^[498] OCHA, “Humanitarian situation update 308 West Bank”, 24 July 2025, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-situation-update-308-west-bank; OCHA, “Humanitarian situation update 320 West Bank”, https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/humanitarian-situation-update-320-west-bank (accessed on 2 June 2026); OCHA, “Humanitarian situation update 346 Gaza Strip”, https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/humanitarian-situation-update-346-gaza-strip (accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[499] Videos published by CNN and verified by Amnesty International. See CNN, “Smashed pipes, blocked off wells: Taps run dry in the West Bank as Israeli settlers target Palestinians’ water”, 29 April 2026, https://edition.cnn.com/2026/04/28/climate/settler-attacks-water-inequality-west-bank-israel-palestine

^[500] Amnesty International, “Impunity reigns for perpetrators of settler violence” (previously cited).

^[501] United Nations, “Statement by UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland on attack by Israeli settlers in Huwwara”, 6 October 2023, https://www.un.org/unispal/document/statement-by-un-special-coordinator-for-the-middle-east-peace-process-tor-wennesland-on-attack-by-israeli-settlers-in-huwwara/

^[502] Amnesty International, “State-backed deadly rampage by Israeli settlers underscores urgent need to dismantle apartheid” (previously cited).

^[503] Interview in person with Ayman Suleiman, 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik.

^[504] Defence for Children International – Palestine, “Israeli forces fatally shoot 13-year-old Palestinian boy in the back near Ramallah”, 25 June 2025, https://www.dci-palestine.org/israeli_forces_fatally_shoot_13_year_old_palestinian_boy_in_the_back_near_ramallah

^[505] Interviews in person with residents of Kufr Malik, 2 March 2024, Kufr Malik.

^[506] Hamdah Salhut, X post: “3 Palestinians were shot and killed by extremist Israeli settlers”, 25 June 2025, https://x.com/hamdahsalhut/status/1937966811607404948/video/4

^[507] Kann- Israeli Public Broadcasting, X post: גורם ביטחוני: מתנחלים הגיעו לכפר מאלכ שליד רמאללה, שרפו מבנים וכלי רכב, התעמתו עם תושבים, וריססו גרפיטי [“Security source: Settlers arrived at the village of Al-Mughayir (near Ramallah), burned buildings and vehicles, clashed with residents, and sprayed graffiti”],  25June 2025, https://x.com/kann_news/status/1937952177068331128/video/1

^[508] Kann- Israeli Public Broadcasting, X post:גורם ביטחוני: מתנחלים הגיעו לכפר מאלכ שליד רמאללה, שרפו מבנים וכלי רכב, התעמתו עם תושבים, וריססו גרפיטי [“Security source: Settlers arrived at the village of Al-Mughayir near Ramallah, burned buildings and vehicles, clashed with residents, and sprayed graffiti”] (previously cited); Hamdah Salhut, X post: “3 Palestinians were shot and killed by extremist Israeli settlers”, 25 June 2025, https://x.com/hamdahsalhut/status/1937966811607404948/video/2

^[509] See also OCHA, “Humanitarian situation update 301 West Bank”, 2 July 2025, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-situation-update-301-west-bank  

^[510] Interview in person with Muntasir al-Maliki, 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik.

^[511] Quds News Network, لحظة إطلاق جنود الاحتلال الرصاص بشكل مباشر على الفلسطينيين أثناء تصديهم لهجوم على قرية كفر مالك [“The moment occupation soldiers fired directly at Palestinians as they were confronting an attack on the village of Kafr Malik”], 25 June 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDD2G7NihkI

^[512] Quds News Network, مواجهات عنيفة بين الشبان وقوات الاحتلال قرية كفر مالك شمال شرق رام الله [“Violent clashes between youths and Israeli occupation forces in the village of Kufr Malik, northeast of Ramallah”], 25 June 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMPHADI7GLI&t=49s

^[513] OHCHR, United Nations Human Rights Guidance on Less-Lethal Weapons in Law Enforcement, 1 June 2020, https://www.ohchr.org/en/publications/policy-and-methodological-publications/united-nations-human-rights-guidance-less

^[514] Amnesty International previously called for an end to the use of the Venom system in public order operations. Amnesty International, Colombia: Cali: In the Epicenter of Repression: Human Rights Violations During the 2021 National Strike in Cali, Colombia, 2021, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/amr23/4405/2021/en

^[515] B’Tselem, “Soldiers shot and killed three young men in Kafr Malik in a joint attack with settlers”, 21 September 2025, https://www.btselem.org/firearms/20250921_soldiers_kill_three_young_men_in_kafr_malik_in_a_joint_attack_with_settlers

OCHA, “Humanitarian situation update 301 West Bank” (previously cited); interviews in person with two residents of Kufr Malik, 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik.

^[516] Interviews in person with two residents of Kufr Malik, 28 August 2025, Kufr Malik.

^[517] Israel Defense Forces, יומן המלחמה – 25/06 [“War Diary – 25/06”], 25 June 2025, https://shorturl.at/vQlVH

^[518] Quds News Network, مواجهات عنيفة بين الشبان وقوات الاحتلال قرية كفر مالك شمال شرق رام الله [“Violent clashes between Palestinian youths and Israeli occupation forces in the village of Kufr Malik, north-east of Ramallah”] (previously cited).

^[519] Interview in person with Adel al-Till, head of the Zanuta council, 5 March 2024, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[520] Bimkom, חירבת זנוטא [“Khirbet Zanuta”], July 2012, https://bimkom.org/media/pages/archives/402f19658c-1768140567/opi-zanuta-c-2012-heb.pdf

^[521] Interview in person with Fayez al-Till, 5 March 2024, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[522] Interview by audio call with Qamar Mashriqi, attorney at Haqel, the organization representing Zanuta residents in their legal proceedings, 23 February 2026.

^[523] Interview by audio call with Qamar Mashriqi, attorney at Haqel, 23 February 2026; interview in person with Fayez al-Till, 5 March 2024, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[524] The Har Hevron Regional Council is one of the six regional councils which govern settlements in the occupied West Bank.

^[525] Hebron Regional Council, מפת התמצאות [“Orientation Map”], https://tinyurl.com/2vnfjuya (accessed on 2 June 2026); Hebron Regional Council, היישובים [“The Settlements”], https://tinyurl.com/59p5bxen (accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[526] ACRI, Cancelling Demolition Orders in Area C Village (Khirbat Zanuta Petition). https://law.acri.org.il/en/2012/07/22/khirbat-zanuta (accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[527] Israel National News, “’There is a limit to what they can get away with’”, 10 April 2018, https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/244202

^[528] Regavim is an Israeli settler organization co-founded by Bezalel Smotrich that advocates the demolition of Palestinian structures in Area C and promotes illegal settlement expansion under the guise of protecting Israel’s national resources and sovereignty. Some 5% of Regavim’s funds come from local settlement councils and governmental funds. See Guidestar, רגבים [“Regavim”], (accessed on 2 June 2026); Regavim, “Introduction: Protecting Israel’s resources, reserving Israeli sovereignty”, https://tinyurl.com/37yryu94 (accessed on 2 June 2026); Haaretz, “This Pro-settler NGO has been shaping Israeli policy for years. Now, it’s in control” (previously cited). 

^[529] Interview in person with Fayez al-Till, 5 March 2024, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[530] Contract available at: Peace Now, “The Har Hevron Regional Council stands behind one of the settlers on whom sanctions were imposed” (previously cited).

⁵³¹ United Kingdom, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, “New UK sanctions target illegal outposts and organisations supporting extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank”, 15 October 2024, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-sanctions-target-illegal-outposts-and-organisations-supporting-extremist-israeli-settlers-in-the-west-bank

In 2024, the Biden administration in the USA also imposed sanctions against Israeli settlers, settlers’ organizations and outposts, accused of acts of violence against civilians in the West Bank and the destruction or seizure of property in this area. This included Yinon Levi and Meitarim Farm. However, in January 2025, the Trump administration lifted all sanctions against Israeli settlers and organizations. See U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, “West Bank-related designations; transnational criminal organizations designation”, 7 November 2024, https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20240711

U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, “Termination of emergency with respect to the situation in the West Bank; West Bank-related designation removals” (previously cited).

^[532] Peace Now, “The Har Hevron Regional Council stands behind one of the settlers on whom sanctions were imposed” (previously cited).

^[533] Interview in person with Adel al-Till, 5 March 2024, Al-Dhayiriya.

^[534] Quds News Network, X post: “Watch | An Israeli settler stormed Palestinian lands in the village of Zanuta, south of the Hebron Hills”, (previously cited); Yehuda Shaul, X post: “On Saturday, four settlers, among them Yinon Levi and Ely Federman, who are both under sanctions, arrived at the village to harass the residents”, (previously cited).

^[535] According to Haqel, some of these lands are privately owned by Palestinians, and some were categorized as state lands. Interview by audio call with Qamar Mashriqi, attorney at Haqel, 8 October 2025.

^[536] Interview by audio call with Qamar Mashriqi, attorney at Haqel, 8 October 2025.

^[537] Interview in person with Adel al-Till, 5 March 2024, Al-Dhayiriya.

^[538] Interview in person with “Marwa” (name changed for security reasons), 5 March 2024, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[539] Interviews in person with four displaced residents from Zanuta, 5 March 2024, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[540] B’Tselem, “Expulsion of Khirbet Zanutah community”, 1 January 2013, https://www.btselem.org/south_hebron_hills/zanutah; B’Tselem, “Settlers arrived, attacked residents with stones, smashed solar panels and windows in one home, and drained a water tank”, https://www.btselem.org/node/215406 (accessed on 2 June 2026); B’Tselem, “The community of Khirbet Zanutah, South Hebron Hills was forcibly transferred under cover of Gaza fighting”, 13 November 2023, https://www.btselem.org/video/20231113_community_of_khirbet_zanutah_south_hebron_hills_was_forcibly_transferred_under_cover_of_gaza_fighting#full

^[541] Yehuda Shaul, X post: “Breaking: As we speak, the community of Khirbet Zanuta (South Hebron Hills) is packing up their village and leaving their lands as a result of settler terrorism”, 28 October 2023, https://x.com/YehudaShaul/status/1718273191376756973; Yehuda Shaul, X post: “In this video you can see the trucks leaving the land with the village’s belongings,” 28 October 2023, https://x.com/YehudaShaul/status/1718273202223243280; Yehuda Shaul, X post: “Israeli Jewish terrorists, mainly from the nearby unauthorized outpost of Meitarim Farm”, 28 October 2023, https://x.com/YehudaShaul/status/1718273194639945734

^[542] Yehuda Shaul, X post: “Yesterday, a few classrooms in the school Khirbet Zanuta (South Hebron Hills) were damaged in a fire”, 21 November 2023, https://x.com/YehudaShaul/status/1726953517439697084

https://www.moe.edu.ps/show-violation/31

^[543] Interview by audio call with Qamar Mashriqi, attorney at Haqel, 23 February 2026.

^[544] Interview in person with Fayez al-Till, 1 September 2025, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[545] Interview in person with Fayez al-Till, 1 September 2025, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[546] Francesca Mannocchi, X post: “Few days ago Israeli settlers demolished the village of Zanuta in the Occupied Palestinian Territory”, 6 December 2023, https://x.com/mannocchia/status/1732427848030290061; Activestills, X post: “Severe damage to the elementary school and homes in ethnically cleansed village of Zanuta, in the southern West Bank”, 17 December 2023, https://x.com/activestills/status/1736507881074098525  

^[547] German Representative in Ramallah, X post: “Shocked by the level of destruction in Masafer Yatta and surrounding villages in Area C”, 29 May 2025, https://x.com/GerRepRamallah/status/1928024783230255411

^[548] Yehuda Shaul, X post: “After expelling residents from Khirbet Zanuta, settlers came and fenced the area of the village”, 15 February 2024, https://x.com/YehudaShaul/status/1827712930357338407

^[549] For details about Hashomer Yosh, see box on Israeli herding outposts in section 5.4: “Targeting livelihoods and means of survival”.

^[550] Yehuda Shaul, X post: “Please also pay attention to the fact that many of the settlers who fenced off Khirbet Zanuta are wearing branded sweatshirts of Hashomer Yosh” (previously cited).

^[551] Norway in Palestine, X post: “Visiting the South Hebron Hills, we saw how the situation has worsened during the war”, 7 March 2024, https://x.com/NorwayPalestine/status/1765735061318496608

^[552] Israel, HCJ, Nawajaa and others v. IDF Commander in the West Bank and others, Ruling, 29 July 2024, on file with Amnesty International.

^[553] Israel, HCJ, Nawajaa and others v. IDF Commander in the West Bank and others, Ruling, 29 July 2024, on file with Amnesty International, para. 14.

^[554] Israel, HCJ, Nawajaa and others v. IDF Commander in the West Bank and others, Ruling, 29 July 2024, on file with Amnesty International, para 16.

^[555] Israel, HCJ, Battat and others v. Subcommittee for Building Supervision and others, Decision, 27 September 2017.

^[556] Interview in person with Fayez al-Till, 1 September 2025, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[557] Interviews in person with three displaced residents from Zanuta, 1 September 2025, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[558] Interviews in person with three displaced residents from Zanuta, 1 September 2025, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[559] Yehuda Shaul, X post: “Yesterday, Saturday Aug 24, Yinon Levi and Ely Federman, from the Meitarim Farm, both under sanctions, came together with other settlers to harass residents of Zanuta who returned to their village last Wednesday”, 25 August 2024, https://x.com/YehudaShaul/status/1827712914515440016; Yehuda Shaul, X post: “Ely Federman, walked into sheep pens and took photos, as if he was monitoring and documenting illegal construction, despite the land being private property”, 25 August 2024, https://x.com/YehudaShaul/status/1827712930357338407

Yehuda Shaul, X post: “As you can see in this video. The villagers are sleeping out in the open, there are mattresses and blankets on what used to be a floor, and Ely Federman is there taking photos”, 25 August 2024, https://x.com/YehudaShaul/status/1827712932865863897; Video recorded by a resident in Zanuta, 24 August 2024, on file with Amnesty International.

^[560] Yehuda Shaul, X post: “Instead of kicking out the settlers from the community, or at least ordering them to leave the private lands and structures of the community residents”, 25 August 2024, https://x.com/YehudaShaul/status/1827712946031767579

^[561] Interviews in person with three displaced residents from Zanuta, 1 September 2025, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[562] B’Tselem, “Zanutah: Palestinian community driven from homes again despite Israeli undertaking before High Court” (previously cited).

^[563] ISM, X post: “August 31- Violent Israeli settlers attacked the community of Zanuta, Southern West Bank, twice during the morning”, 5 September 2024, https://x.com/ISMPalestine/status/1831573069833322868; Andrey X, X post: “Israeli terror settlers against Zanuta and Anizan”, 31 August 2024, https://x.com/the_andrey_x/status/1829913919776858401

^[564] Videos recorded by residents in Zanuta, shared with Amnesty International in March 2024.

^[565] Interview in person with “Kamil” (name changed for security reasons), 1 September 2025, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[566] Interview by audio call Qamar Mashriqi, attorney at Haqel, 8 December 2025.

^[567] Israel, HCJ, Nawajaa and others v. IDF Commander in the West Bank and others, Ruling, 29 July 2024, on file with Amnesty International.

^[568] Interviews in person with three displaced residents from Zanuta, 1 September 2025, Al-Dhahiriya; Yehuda Shaul, X post: “Yesterday, a few classrooms in the school in Khirbet Zanuta (South Hebron Hills) were damaged in a fire”, 21 November 2023, https://t.co/Uo9YimmxUp                

^[569] Interview in person with “Haleem” (name changed for security reasons), 1 September 2025, Al-Dhahiriya.

^[570] Israel Defense Forces, Spokesperson’s Unit, email response to Amnesty International’s letter addressed to Minister of Defense Israel Katz, offering the right of reply (previously cited).

^[571] Eyes on Palestine, X post: “The Israeli government continues its support of the settlers”, 4 April 2025, https://x.com/EyeonPalestine/status/1908174886456991929

^[572] Times of Israel, “Government gifts state-financed ATVs to illegal settlement outposts for security” (previously cited).

^[573] Kivsa Shchora, Instagram post: “Smotrich published this video from an event where the Ministry of Settlement and National Infrastructure, headed by Orit Strook, distributed rangers, cameras, and night vision equipment to 25 outposts (farms) in the Har Hebron Regional Council”, 6 April 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reels/DIGZ5oNNVhg

^[574] Interview in person with Najiyya Bisharat, 10 February 2024, Makhoul.

^[575] OCHA, “Humanitarian situation update 310 West Bank”, 31 July 2025, https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/humanitarian-situation-update-310-west-bank

^[576] CWRC, email to Amnesty International, 5 March 2026, on file with Amnesty International.

^[577] Amnesty International, “Israel/OPT: Hadidiya and Humsa hamlets”, 5 December 2009, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/026/2009/en; Amnesty International, “Israel/OPT: Families without homes”, 22 June 2011, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/028/2011/en;

Amnesty International, “Israe/OPT Further information: Israeli army destroys homes for sixth time”, 8 July 2013, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/012/2013/en

^[578] CWRC, email to Amnesty International, 5 March 2026, on file with Amnesty International.

^[579] Interview by audio call with Mo’taz Bisharat, official in the Tubas Governorate in charge of monitoring settlement activity in the northern Jordan Valley, 11 December 2025.

^[580] Peace Now, “The government declares 8,000 dunams in the Jordan Valley as state lands”, 22 March 2024, https://peacenow.org.il/en/the-israeli-government-declares-8000-dunams-in-the-jordan-valley-as-state-lands; Peace Now, “The Government declares 12,000 dunams in the Jordan Valley as state lands”, 3 July 2024, https://peacenow.org.il/en/state-land-declaration-12000-dunams

^[581] Interview by audio call with Mo’taz Bisharat, 11 December 2025; Peace Now, Settlements and Outposts Peace Now 12.2025, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Hs_JdYPEs4oXs09zG3Hd4tWBpYo0ImkJ6WuXAEgMi0U/edit (accessed on 3 June 2026).

^[582] Interview by audio call with Mo’taz Bisharat, 11 December 2025; B’Tselem, Settler Violence = State Violence https://www.btselem.org/settler_violence_updates_list?importance=1 (accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[583] OCHA, “Humanitarian situation report | 15 May 2026”, 15 May 2026, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-situation-report-15-may-2026#escalating-settler-violence-and-attacks-on-livelihoods 

^[584] These nine settlements are: Mehola, Shadmot Mehola, Rotem, Maskiyot, Beka’ot, Ro’i, Hemdat, Hamra and Mehora. Of these settlements, two – Maskiyot and Rotem – were established as military bases in the 1980s and subsequently turned into civilian settlements. See: Peace Now, Maskiyot, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements/settlement80-en (accessed on 2 June 2026); Peace Now, Rotem, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements/settlement122-en (accessed on 2 June 2026); Peace Now, Mechola, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements/settlement67-en (accessed on 2 June 2026); Peace Now, Shadmot Mehola, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements/settlement128-en (accessed on 2 June 2026); Peace Now, Chedmat, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements/settlement43-en (accessed on 2 June 2026); Peace Now, Ro’i, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements/settlement121-en (accessed on 2 June 2026); Peace Now, Beaa’ot, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements/settlement23-en ( accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[585] CWRC, email to Amnesty International, 5 March 2026, on file with Amnesty International. 

^[586] CWRC, email to Amnesty International, 5 March 2026, on file with Amnesty International.

^[587] Interview in person with Mahdi Daraghmeh, 10 February 2024, Ein al-Hilweh.

^[588] Interview by audio call with Mahdi Daraghmeh, 11 December 2025.

^[589] Interviews in person with three members of the Daraghmeh family, 10 February 2024, Ein al-Hilweh; Interview by audio call with Mahdi Daraghmeh, 11 December 2025; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “This morning, Israeli illegal settlers destroyed and burned part of the property which belongs to a shepherd community in Eyn el Hilweh, north Jordan Valley”, 27 November 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/C0Jf4K7Nc1o/?img_index=6

^[590] Interviews in person with three residents of Ein al-Hilweh, 10 February 2024, Ein al-Hilweh.

^[591] Interview in person with Qadri Daraghmeh, 10 February 2024, Ein al-Hilweh.

^[592] B’Tselem, “Since 7 October, Israel has ramped up efforts to drive Palestinian shepherding communities out of the northern Jordan Valley”, 17 March 2024, https://www.btselem.org/video/202403_israel_has_ramped_up_efforts_to_displace_shepherding_communities_in_the_northern_jordan_valley_since_7_october#full; B’Tselem, “Kh. ‘Ein al-Hilweh, Jordan Valley: Israeli settlers graze cow herd in Palestinian farmland”, https://www.btselem.org/node/214877 (accessed on 2 June 2026); B’Tselem, “‘Ein al-Hilweh, Jordan Valley: Israeli settlers attack Palestinians herding cows”, https://m.btselem.org/node/214982 (accessed on 2 June 2026); B’Tselem, “Kh. ‘Ein al-Hilweh, Jordan Valley: Israeli settlers attack Palestinian shepherds with clubs”, https://www.btselem.org/node/215296 (accessed on 2 June 2026); B’Tselem, “Khirbet ‘Ein al-Hilweh, Jordan Valley: Israeli settlers entered Palestinian residents’ tents, filmed inside, and accused them of livestock theft”, https://www.btselem.org/node/216986 (accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[593] B’Tselem, “Khirbet ‘Ein al-Hilweh, Jordan Valley: Israeli settlers armed with clubs invaded Palestinian residents’ tents and damaged property”, https://www.btselem.org/node/216996 (accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[594] Images recorded by residents in Ein al-Hilweh, 13-14 April 2024, on file with Amnesty International.

^[595] Interview in person with “Layla” (name changed for security reasons), 10 February 2024, Ein al-Hilweh.

^[596] Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “22.8.25 Eyn al-Hilweh”, 22 August 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DNrKZHzWANN

^[597] Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “About 50 meters from Palestinian homes in Ein el-Hilweh, settlers arrived yesterday in two vehicles with a wagon carrying construction materials and a welder and set up a shed over a bench”, 22 March 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DHhAFgxNWjg/?igsh=eWR5azJhNGhnbGEz

^[598] Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “This morning, settlers began erecting a new fence that will completely cut off Palestinian herders from their grazing lands”, 30 May 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKRuvMytzrz/?igsh=YW1wZGs1cWltZGFs; Quds News Network, X post: امتداد استيطاني مستمر.. مستوطنون يسيّجون أراض جديدة في منطقة عين الحلوة بالأغوار الشمالية [“Ongoing settlement expansion: Israeli settlers fence off new areas of land in the Ein al-Hilweh area of the Northern Jordan Valley”], 30 May 2025, https://x.com/qudsn/status/1928361728120676656

^[599] OCHA, “Humanitarian situation update 318 West Bank”, 28 August 2025, https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/humanitarian-situation-update-318-west-bank-enarhe

^[600] Interview by audio call with Mahdi Daraghmeh, 11 December 2025.

^[601] Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “Demolitions now in Ein Al-Hilweh”, 24 July 2025, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1948299976703975510

Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Listen to Ruti who was in Ein Al-Hilweh during the demolitions today”, 24 July 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DMfFFl8NTGR

^[602] Interview by audio call with Mahdi Daraghmeh, 11 December 2025.

^[603] Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Demolitions in Ein el-Hilweh, August 21, 2025”, 21 August 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DNntrBqM5oU

^[604] OCHA, “Humanitarian situation update 318 West Bank”, (previously cited). 

^[605] Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Demolitions in Ein el-Hilweh, August 21, 2025” (previously cited).

^[606] Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “27.8.25 00:40 Eyn el-Hilweh”, 27 August 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DN2rXe4Wpci

^[607] Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “The occupation army arrived again at Kadri Daraghma’s family in Ein al-Hilweh and arresting three members of the family under the pretext of illegal destruction”, 30 September 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DPPuAYHiM8e; Interview by audio call with Mahdi Daraghmeh, 11 December 2025.

^[608] Al-Haq, “Demolitions leave Jordan Valley community of Khibert Makhul homeless”, https://www.alhaq.org/monitoring-documentation/6712.html (accessed on 26 May 2026); POICA Eyes on Palestine, “‘Ethnic Cleansing manifested in the Jordan Valley’ – The eradication of Khirbet Makhoul Bedouin community”, 22 September 2013, https://poica.org/2013/09/ethnic-cleansing-manifested-in-the-jordan-valley-he-eradication-of-khirbet-makhoul-bedouin-community (accessed on 25 May 2026).

^[609] OCHA, “Four herding communities in northern Jordan Valley at imminent risk of forcible transfer”, 10 November 2017, https://www.ochaopt.org/content/four-herding-communities-northern-jordan-valley-imminent-risk-forcible-transfer

^[610] Peace Now, Settlements and Outposts Peace Now 12.2025, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Hs_JdYPEs4oXs09zG3Hd4tWBpYo0ImkJ6WuXAEgMi0U/edit (accessed on 3 June 2026).

^[611] Peace Now, Um Zuka, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements/settlement1069-en (accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[612] Peace Now, Goshen Farm, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements/settlement1123-en (accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[613] Interviews in person with two residents of Makhoul, 11 February 2024, Makhoul.

^[614] Interviews in person with two residents of Makhoul, 11 February 2024, Makhoul.

^[615] Interviews in person with two residents of Makhoul, 11 February 2024, Makhoul.

^[616] Interview in person with Yousef Bisharat, 11 February 2024, Makhoul.

^[617] Videos recorded by ISM from 23 February to 11 November 2025 in Makhoul, shared with Amnesty International.

^[618] See, for example, B’Tselem, “Khallet Makhul, Jordan Valley: Israeli settler rams ATV into sheep belonging to Palestinians, injuring some”, https://www.btselem.org/node/215187 (accessed on 3 June 2026); B’Tselem, “Khallet Makhul, Jordan Valley: Israeli settlers vandalize livestock enclosure”, 7 August 2023, https://www.btselem.org/node/215188; B’Tselem, “At around 10:00 A.M., community resident Yusef Bsharat was grazing his flock east of his home when settlers arrived, escorted by soldier”, https://www.btselem.org/node/215747 (accessed on 4 June 2026); B’Tselem, “Khallet Makhul, Jordan Valley: Israeli settlers harassed a Palestinian shepherd”, 26 October 2024, https://www.btselem.org/node/216943, https://www.btselem.org/node/216943; B’Tselem, “Khallet Makhul, Jordan Valley: Israeli settlers stole a horse from Palestinians”, https://www.btselem.org/node/216907 (accessed on 3 June 2026); B’Tselem, “Khallet Makhul, Jordan Valley: Israeli settlers attacked a house and its occupants”, https://www.btselem.org/node/216807 (accessed on 3 June 2026).

^[619] Wattan News Agency, Facebook post: فيديو: مستوطنون يعتدون على أغنام لفلسطيني في خلة مكحول في الأغوار الشمالية [“Video: Settlers attack a Palestinian’s sheep in Khallat Makhoul in the Northern Jordan Valley”], 20 September 2023, https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=680116677435244; Alhaya.ps, Facebook post: الأغوار- خربة مكحول عصابات المستوطنين تهاجم المواطن يوسف حسين بشارات في مكان سكنه [“Jordan Valley – Khirbet Makhoul: Settler groups attack Youssef Hussein Basharat at his place of residence”], https://www.facebook.com/reel/781720016987053 (accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[620] Alarabiya Palestine, Facebook post: مستوطنون يقتحمون خربة مكحول في الأغوار الشمالية، ويقومون باستفزاز المواطنين [“Settlers raid Khirbet Makhoul in the Northern Jordan Valley and provoke local residents”], https://www.facebook.com/reel/1518673918780741 (accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[621] Interview in person with Yousef Bisharat, 11 February 2024, Makhoul.

^[622] Jordan Valley Activists, email to Amnesty International, 22 May 2026, on file with Amnesty International; The Applied Research Institute (ARIJ) – Jerusalem, Al Farisiya Village Profile, February 2006, https://vprofile.arij.org/tubas/static/localities/profiles/105_Profile.pdf

^[623] Peace Now, Settlements and Outposts Peace Now 12.2025, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Hs_JdYPEs4oXs09zG3Hd4tWBpYo0ImkJ6WuXAEgMi0U/edit (accessed on 3 June 2026).

^[624] Peace Now, Tene Yarok Farm, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements/settlement1155-en (accessed on 1 June 2026).

^[625] Peace Now, Beintayim Farm, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements/settlement1095-en (accessed on 1 June 2026).

^[626] Peace Now, Maskiyut North, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements/settlement1258-en (accessed on 1 June 2026).

^[627] Peace Now, Maskiyut South, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements/settlement1107-en (accessed on 1 June 2026).

^[628] Peace Now, Givat Sal’it, https://peacenow.org.il/en/settlements/settlement249-en (accessed on 1 June 2026).

^[629] OCHA, “The Humanitarian impact of humanitarian impact of Israeli-declared ‘firing zones’ in West Bank”, August 2012, https://www.ochaopt.org/sites/default/files/ocha_opt_firing_zone_factsheet_august_2012_english.pdf; POICA, Ecstasy vs. Siesta: Israel Ecstatic vs. International Community Siesta & the Two-State Solution RIP, https://poica.org/2014/12/ecstasy-vs-siesta-israel-ecstatic-vs-international-community-siesta-the-two-state-solution-rip (accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[630] Israel Defense Forces, Order no. 363: Order to protect nature – Rotem Maskiyot, 2020, on file with Amnesty International.

^[631] B’Tselem, “The village of al-Farisiyah – demolitions for alleged construction in firing zone”, 6 January 2014, https://www.btselem.org/jordan_valley/al_farisiyah

^[632] Interviews in person with four residents of Al-Farisiya, 10 February 2025, Al-Farisiya; Interview by audio call with Mo’taz Bisharat, 11 December 2025.

^[633] Interview in person with “Rawda” (name changed for security reasons), 10 February 2024, Al-Farisiya.

^[634] These incidents occurred in a part of Al-Farisiya known as Naba’ al-Ghazal.

^[635] B’Tselem, “Settler violence – state violence”, https://www.btselem.org/settler_violence_updates_list (accessed on 2 June 2026).

^[636] Andrey X, X post: “Israeli settlement Rotem has a reputation of an eco-friendly paradise”,15 November 2024, https://x.com/the_andrey_x/status/1857362838295093309; +972 Magazine, “With foreign backing, Israel’s solar energy boom is powering apartheid”, 20 February 2026, https://www.972mag.com/israel-solar-power-west-bank-apartheid-green

^[637] Andrey X, X post: “Farsiya in Jordan Valley is under continued pressure from settler terrorists led by Didi Amosi”, 24 July 2024, https://x.com/the_andrey_x/status/1816065557159874720

^[638] Jordan Valley Activists, מתנחלים פרצו הלילה לקהילת אל-פארסייה [“Settlers broke into the al-Farsiya community overnight“], 13 August 2025, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1955516151318081661; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Last night settlers cut electricity and water pipes in Farsiya Naba’ Ghazal”, 14 August 2025, https://www.instagram.com/jordan_valley_activists/reel/DNUAT1EMAwF

^[639] See also Al-Jazeera, “‘Like a mafia’: Israeli settlers, forces squeeze Palestinian shepherds out”, 27 January 2024, https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/1/27/like-a-mafia-israeli-settlers-forces-squeeze-palestinian-shepherds-out

^[640] Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “18.09.24 The Occupation Forces destroyed, dismantled and confiscated cameras and internet equipment”, 21 September 2024, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1837330097767928314

^[641] Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “18.09.24 The Occupation Forces destroyed, dismantled and confiscated cameras and internet equipment” (previously cited).

^[642] Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “1/7 On 5.1.24 Ahmed, a shepherd from Farsiyah went out to plow his plot located east of the Alon road and south of the access road to Rotem”,13 January 2024, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1746252148327780823

^[643] HaBloc, X post: 41פעילה במשמרת נוכחות מגינה מתעדת שוטר מג”ב ורכז קרקעות מטעם מועצת בקעת הירדן, שפולשים לבתי תושבים בקהילת אל-פארסיה [”An activist from the Protective Presence watch documents a Border Police officer and a land coordinator on behalf of the Jordan Valley Regional Council, who break into residents’ homes in the al‑Farsiya community”], 26 November 2024, https://x.com/HablocOrg/status/1861408861309022646; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “And who invaded immediately after the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture visited Al-Farsiya community?”, 28 November 2024, https://www.instagram.com/jordan_valley_activists/reel/DC7TdYZN2wS

^[644] Mekomit, הסלמת אלימות המתנחלים: שני פעילים הותקפו בבקעת הירדן [”Escalation in settler violence: two activists were attacked in the Jordan Valley”], 4 December 2023, https://tinyurl.com/5bhp5jvm (in Hebrew).

^[645] Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Yesterday, Didi Amosi from the illegal outpost of Tene Yarok Farms expelled a herd of cows from private Palestinian land, falsely claiming that these were his fields” (previously cited); Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Israeli settlers obstruct ploughing in the times of depravation, landteft and expulsion [sic]”, 16 September 2026, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSUi1gejXhp/?igsh=cDcybmsxa2UzaGl3; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Invasion to Palestinian lands” (previously cited).

^[646] Peace Now, “The Ministry of Agriculture funds illegal farm outposts”, 21 May 2024, https://peacenow.org.il/en/the-ministry-of-agriculture-funds-illegal-farm-outposts

^[647] The organization launched a fundraising campaign in November 2023. See: Hashomer Yosh, Facebook post: גם בבקעה גם בהר [“Both in the valley and the mountain”], 15 November 2023, https://www.facebook.com/Hashomeryosh/posts/pfbid02VnuSB6cdba3p67rnfjya41mt9Q1HHHdsKKUN2UTsn5GmdU9Z3MKUxe9KhZExNUGWl?rdid=fiRp7wnuyHkrOuJU; The campaign remained active in May 2026. See: Jgive, בטחון הרועים! מגינים על רועי ישראל [“The shepherds’ security! Protecting the shepherds of Israel”], https://www.jgive.com/new/he/ils/donation-targets/110062

^[648] Operations Division Advisory Officer at IDF Legal Adviser Bureau, letter to Attorney Etai Meck, 11 May 2020, on file with Amnesty International.

^[649] Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “1/3 Didi Amusi, the man in the green shirt from the green Tene Yarok farm in the ‘green’ Rotem settlement”, 15 July 2024, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1812755978149826706

^[650] Jordan Valley Activists, X post: הקמת נקודת מאחז חדשה סמוך לקהילת אל-פארסיה ברגעים אלו ממש [“Establishing a new outpost near the Al‑Farisiya community at this very moment”], 1 May 2025, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1917899949825548544

^[651] The Official Account Government Communication Centre – Palestine, X post: “Israeli settlers continue land seizure”, 28 July 2025, https://x.com/pal_gcc_en/status/1949726060527993022; PalPuls, “Settlers steal land in northern Jordan Valley”, 25 June 2025, https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GxIUF1XbTS4

^[652] Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Settler-invader Gilad Amosi from the illegal outpost ‘Tene Yarok Farm’ and his associates, continue errecting [sic] a stifling fence”, 29 June 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DLe0OkltrKE

^[653] Attorney Michael Sfard, email to Amnesty International, 9 May 2026, on file with Amnesty International. See also Haaretz, בית המשפט הרחיק מתנחל מכפר פלסטיני בבקעה לאחר שהטריד את אחד מתושביו [”A court has barred a settler from a Palestinian village in the Jordan Valley after he harassed one of its residents”], 16 September 2024, https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/law/2024-09-16/ty-article/.premium/00000191-fb63-d0ab-a3bb-fff3834a0000 (in Hebrew); Zman, הרועים הפלסטינים בבקעה תחת מתקפה משולבת

ארץ המאחזים [“Palestinian shepherds in the Jordan Valley under a combined attack – The outpost land”], 2 February 2025, https://www.zman.co.il/559617 (in Hebrew).

^[654] Israel, Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court, Abu Muhsin v. Amosi, Decision, 11 August 2025, on file with Amnesty International.

^[655] B’Tselem, “Nab’a al-Ghazal (al-Farisiyah), Jordan Valley: Settler violated a restraining order and assaulted Palestinian shepherds in an attempt to prevent the flocks from going out to pasture; shepherds detained by additional settlers who arrived with the military”, https://www.btselem.org/node/217517 (accessed on 23 May 2026).

^[656] Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “Gilad Amosi“, 26 February 2025, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1894753038834766229

^[657] B’Tselem, “Naba’ al-Ghazal (al-Farisiyah), Jordan Valley: Settler violated a restraining order and assaulted Palestinian shepherds in an attempt to prevent the flocks from going out to pasture; shepherds detained by additional settlers who arrived with the military”, https://www.btselem.org/node/217517 (accessed on 23 March 2025); B’Tselem, “Nab’a al-Ghazal (al-Farisiyah), Jordan Valley: Settlers put up a fence right next to the community to make it harder for livestock to reach pastureland”, https://www.btselem.org/node/217516 (accessed on 23 March 2025); Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram Post: “Settlers crimes“, 2 October 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPTUjbLjYkN/?igsh=Yzd4M2pvODBjbTlv; B’Tselem, “Nab’a al-Ghazal (al-Farisiyah), Jordan Valley: Settler violated a restraining order and assaulted Palestinian shepherds in an attempt to prevent the flocks from going out to pasture; shepherds detained by additional settlers who arrived with the military”, https://www.btselem.org/node/217517 (accessed on 23 May 2026); B’Tselem, “Nab’a al-Ghazal (al-Farisiyah), Jordan Valley: Settlers put up a fence right next to the community to make it harder for livestock to reach pastureland”, https://www.btselem.org/node/217516 (accessed on 23 May 2026).

^[658] Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “Gilad Amosi“, 26 February 2025, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1894753038834766229; Andrey X, Instagram post: “Settler and IOF attack on Al-Farsiya”,12 April 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIWiDjzsB4C; Jordan Valley Activists, Facebook post: “Trespassing”, 9 January 2025, https://www.facebook.com/JordanValleyActivists/posts/trespassing-yesterday-around-1pm-settler-gilad-amosi-from-the-tene-yarok-illegal/626483423382105

^[659] Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “Settler invasion and attack”, 29 March 2025, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1905873650080796804; Andrey X, X post: “Three settlers, led by Gilad Amosi, invaded the Palestinian village”,27 March 2025, https://x.com/the_andrey_x/status/1905255505154494817

^[660] Interview by audio call with Andrey X, activist monitoring settler violence, 24 February 2026; Andrey X, X post: “The activists confronted the settlers”, 27 March 2025, https://x.com/the_andrey_x/status/1905255584535814150

^[661] Interview by audio call with Andrey X, activist monitoring settler violence, 24 February 2026.

^[662] Interview by audio call with Andrey X, activist monitoring settler violence, 24 February 2026.

^[663] Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “Yesterday morning, settler Gilad Amosi from the Tene Yarok outpost farm”, 23 April 2025, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1915063327396426030; Jordan Vallery Activists, Instagram post: “Settlers invasion, Al-Farsiyah”, 27 July 2024, https://www.instagram.com/p/C97WOO8N4pF/?img_index=4; Jordan Valley Activists, X post: “Yom Kippur Eve 2025, N Jordan Valley: settler Gilad Amosi, from an outpost near Rotem”, 1 October 2025, https://x.com/JVActivists/status/1973411822452556201; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Today the settler Gilad Amosi from the ‘Tene Yarok’ illegal outpost farm, arrived at the pasture of A’s herds from al-Farsiya and threw a stone at A’s back”, 28 December 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DS0VN-Fjd8K/?igsh=aTRrMmVkNjhnN3Jr; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Invasion to Palestinian lands” (previously cited). “Settler Didi Amosi from the illegal outpost ‘Tene Yarok’ farm, ploughed today on private Palestinian lands in Al-Farsiya”, 24 December 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSpqLazDEKQ/?igsh=bzBxc3poamNxcnR6; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Israeli settlers obstruct Palestinian ploughing in times of deprivation, land theft and expulsion”, 16 December 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSUi1gejXhp/?igsh=cDcybmsxa2UzaGl3; Jordan Valley Activists, Instagram post: “Today at 07:10, the Al-Farsiya herds began their way to the pasture from the opening in the illegal fence” (previously cited). 

^[664] Rome Statute, Article 7(2)(h).

^[665] Amnesty International, Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians (previously cited).

^[666] Amnesty International, Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians (previously cited).

^[667] Rome Statute, Article 7(1)(d).

^[668] International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Prosecutor v. Krstić, Case IT-98-33, Trial Chamber judgment, 2 August 2001, para. 521.

^[669] Rome Statute, Article 7(1).

^[670] International Criminal Court (ICC), Elements of Crimes, UN Doc. PCNICC/2000/1/Add.2 (2000), Article 71)(d)(2).

^[671] ICTY, Prosecutor v. Stakić, Case IT-97-24, Trial Chamber judgment, 22 March 2006, para. 281; ICTY, Prosecutor v. Krnojelac, Case IT-97-25, Trial Chamber judgment, 17 September 2003, paras 229 and 233; and ICTY, Prosecutor v. Krajišnik, Case IT-00-39, Trial Chamber judgment, 27 September 2006, paras 724 and 730. See, for example, ICTY, Prosecutor v. Krstić, Case IT-98-33, Trial Chamber judgment, 2 August 2001, paras 528-530.

^[672] ICTY, Prosecutor v. Krajišnik, Case IT-00-39, Trial Chamber judgment, 27 September 2006,

paras 724 and 730.

^[673] ICTY, Prosecutor v. Krstić, Case IT-98-33, Trial Chamber judgment, 2 August 2001, para. 528-530. For more information, see Amnesty International, Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians (previously cited), p. 220.

^[674] See International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Prosecutor v. Akayesu, Case ICTR-96-4, Trial Chamber judgment, 2 September 1998, para. 579; ICTY, Prosecutor v. Kordić and Čerkez, Case IT-95-14/2, Trial Chamber judgment, 26 February 2001, para. 179; ICTR, Prosecutor v. Kayishema and Ruzindana, Case ICTR-95-1, Trial Chamber judgment, 21 May 1999, para. 123.

^[675] International Law Commission, Yearbook of the International Law Commission 2019, Supplement 10, UN Doc. A/74/10, paras 12 and 13.

^[676] ICTY, Prosecutor v. Kunarac and Others, Case IT-96-23 and IT-96-23/1, Trial Chamber judgment, 22 February 2001, para. 429. See also ICTY, Prosecutor v. Blaškić, Case IT-95-14, Trial Chamber judgment, 3 March 2000, para. 203; ICTR, Prosecutor v. Akayesu, Case ICTR-96-4, Trial Chamber judgment, 2 September 1998, para. 580.

^[677] Rome Statute, Article 8(2)(b)(viii); International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Customary international humanitarian law (IHL), Rule 156.

^[678] Fourth Geneva Convention, Article 49(1); ICRC, Customary IHL, Rule 129.

^[679] Fourth Geneva Convention, Article 49(3); ICRC, Customary IHL, Rule 131.

^[680] ICTY, Prosecutor v. Naletilić and Martinović, IT-98-34-T, Trial Chamber Judgment, 31 March 2003, para. 526.

^[681] ICJ, Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, advisory opinion (previously cited), paras. 146-147.

^[682] United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Report of the United Nations Commission of Experts Established Pursuant to Security Council Resolution 780, (1992), 1994.

^[683] UNSC, Report of the United Nations Commission of Experts Established Pursuant to Security Council Resolution 780 (previously cited).

^[684] See, for example, Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, A/80/337, 14 August 2025, paras. 30 & 38; OHCHR, “Settler violence drives forced displacement in the West Bank”, 29 January 2026, https://palestine.un.org/en/309094-ohchr-settler-violence-drives-forced-displacement-west-bank

^[685] UNGA, Resolution: Illegal Israeli actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, adopted on 18 September 2024, A/RES/ES-10/24, https://docs.un.org/en/A/RES/ES-10/24

^[686] ICJ, Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, advisory opinion (previously cited), para. 154.

^[687] ICESCR, Article 11(1).

^[688] ICESCR, Article 13.

^[689] ICESCR, Article 6.

^[690] ICESCR, Article 12.

^[691] UNGA, Resolution: Illegal Israeli actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (previously cited).

^[692] For example, by June 2025, France imposed 59 individual sanctions against Israeli settlers for acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. See France, Ministère de l’Europe et des affaires étrangères, “Israel / Palestinian Territories: Violent attack on Palestinians by West Bank settlers”, 26 June 2025, https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/israel-palestine/news/2025/article/israel-palestinian-territories-violent-attack-on-palestinians-by-west-bank

Similar sanctions were imposed by Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, as well as briefly by the USA before they were reversed by US President Trump in January 2025.

^[693] Official Journal of the European Union, Council implementing regulation (EU) 2024/1172 implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses, 19 April 2024, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L%5F202401172; Official Journal of the European Union, Council implementing regulation (EU) 2024/1960 implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses, 15 July 2024, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L%5F202401960

^[694] For more information about settler organizations involved in the dispossession of Palestinians, see Amnesty International, Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians (previously cited); Yesh Din and Physicians for Human Rights, Displaced Communities, Forgotten Places, Israel’s Forcible Transfer of Palestinians in the West Bank (previously cited), p. 51.

^[695] Joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom on measures targeting Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, 10 July 2025, https://tinyurl.com/3jpak6kp

^[696] Government of Slovenia, 162nd Regular Session of the Government of Slovenia, 17 July 2025, https://www.gov.si/en/news/2025-07-17-162nd-regular-session-of-the-government-of-the-republic-of-slovenia (accessed on 22 May 2025).

^[697] Joint statement on the Conclusion of the Emergency Conference on Palestine, Convened by the Hague Group, 16 July 2025, https://thehaguegroup.org/meetings-bogota-en

^[698] Joint Statement on the Conclusion of the Emergency Conference on Palestine, Convened by The Hague Group (previously cited). The signatories of these states include: Bolivia, Cuba, Colombia, Indonesia, Iraq, Libya, Malaysia, Namibia, Nicaragua, Oman, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa and Türkiye.

^[699] Amnesty International, “‘Timid’ review of EU-Israel Association Agreement a ‘greenlight to Israel’s genocide’”, 23 June 2025, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/06/eu-israel-timid-review-of-eu-israel-association-agreement-a-greenlight-to-israels-genocide; Amnesty International, “EU: Failure to Suspend EU-Israel Association Agreement Shows Contempt for civilian lives”, 21 April 2026, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/04/eu-failure-to-suspend-eu-israel-association-agreement-shows-contempt-for-civilian-lives

^[700] Republic of Slovenia, “The Government instructs the Ministry of Defence to strictly enforce controls on arms trade with Israel”, 31 July 2025, https://www.gov.si/en/news/2025-07-31-the-government-instructs-the-ministry-of-defence-to-strictly-enforce-controls-on-arms-trade-with-israel

^[701] Reuters, “Slovenia introduces ban on imports from Israeli-occupied territories”, 6 August 2025, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/slovenia-introduces-ban-imports-israeli-occupied-territories-2025-08-06

^[702] Amnesty International Slovenia, “Slovenija mora izpolniti napovedi in prekiniti vsa sodelovanja z izraelskimi nezakonitimi naselbinami” [“Slovenia must meet its promises and cease all cooperation with Israeli illegal settlements”], 18 December 2025, https://www.amnesty.si/slovenija-mora-izpolniti-napovedi-in-prekiniti-vsa-sodelovanja-z-izraelskimi-nezakonitimi-naselbinami (in Slovenian).

^[703] Government of Spain, Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Courts, “Real Decreto-ley 10/2025, de 23 de septiembre, por el que se adoptan medidas urgentes contra el genocidio en Gaza y de apoyo a la población palestina” [“Royal Decree-Law 10/2025, of 23 September, on the adoption of urgent measures against the genocide in Gaza and in support of the Palestinian population”], 24 September 2025, https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?lang=es&id=BOE-A-2025-18831 (in Spanish).

^[704] Amnesty International Spain, “España: Preocupaciones y buenas prácticas con respecto a las exportaciones de armas – nuevo informe” [“Spain: Concerns and good practices regarding arms exports – new report”], 3 March 2026, https://www.es.amnesty.org/en-que-estamos/noticias/noticia/articulo/espana-preocupaciones-y-buenas-practicas-con-respecto-a-las-exportaciones-de-armas-nuevo-informe (in Spanish).

^[705] Belgium, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Moyen-Orient et la souveraineté palestinienne – Accord au sein du Conseil ministériel restraint” [“Middle East and Palestinian Sovereignty – Agreement Reached by the Inner Cabinet”], 5 September 2025, https://diplomatie.belgium.be/fr/actualites/moyen-orient-et-la-souverainete-palestinienne-accord-au-sein-du-conseil-ministeriel-restreint (in French); Government of Ireland, “General Scheme of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025”, 25 June 2025, https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-foreign-affairs/publications/general-scheme-of-the-israeli-settlements-in-the-occupied-palestinian-territory-prohibition-of-importation-of-goods-bill-2025; Government of the Netherlands, “Dutch policy on the situation in Israel and the Palestinian Territories”, https://www.government.nl/themes/international-cooperation/israel-and-the-palestinian-territories/dutch-policy-on-the-situation-in-israel-and-the-palestinian-territories (accessed on 3 June 2026).

^[706] Geneva Conventions (1949), Common Article 1.

^[707] ICJ, Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, advisory opinion (previously cited), para. 279.

Source: Amnesty International –

Global demand for minerals is rising fast. This is being driven by the shift to renewable energy and electric vehicles, and increasingly by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and data centres. Minerals such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt are essential for these technologies, but extracting them often comes at a high cost to people and planet.  

Amnesty International’s research, spanning more than a decade and many countries, shows that communities at the frontlines of so-called “critical minerals” extraction experience serious human rights and environmental abuses. These include health-harming pollution, forced evictions, dangerous working conditions, loss of livelihoods and violations of Indigenous Peoples’ rights to self-determination. From the Philippines to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the USA, the pattern is clear: too often, the demand for minerals happens at the expense of human rights and the environment.  

Source: Amnesty International –

The Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF) must ensure the immediate release of 10 members of the Global Sumud Land Convoy who have been arbitrarily detained for over two weeks in eastern Libya solely for attempting to deliver aid to Gaza amid Israel’s ongoing genocide, Amnesty International said today. 

On 24 May 2026, an armed group affiliated with the self-proclaimed LAAF, the de facto authorities in eastern and southern Libya, arbitrarily arrested the 10 humanitarian activists from nine different countries. The four men and six women were arrested while en route to Sirte to negotiate with local authorities the convoy’s passage.  

Following periods of enforced disappearance ranging from two to nine days, prosecutors interrogated them before ordering their pretrial detention pending investigations into charges of “assembly without authorization.” If convicted, they face up to six months in prison and/or a fine. 

“At a time when Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are grappling with Israel’s ongoing genocide and catastrophic humanitarian conditions, it is utterly disgraceful that individuals seeking to deliver humanitarian assistance and end Israel’s unlawful blockade have been met with arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and prosecution on bogus charges in Libya,” said Mahmoud Shalaby, Regional Researcher at Amnesty International. 

“No one should be punished for undertaking peaceful humanitarian action and trying to stop human rights abuses. The Libyan Arab Armed Forces must ensure the immediate and unconditional release of the activists, and in the meantime ensure that they have prompt and regular access to their families, consular representatives, lawyers and any medical care they require.” 

From 1 June and at least until 4 June 2026, the detainees, whose ages range from 30 to 70 and who are nationals of Argentina, Canada, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia, Uruguay, and the USA, went on hunger strike to protest their detention and denial of access to their lawyers and families.  

To investigate the arrest and detention of GMLV activists,  Amnesty International interviewed a member of Global Sumud Flotilla legal team who had been in contact with the detainees until their arrest, a member of an international organization present in Libya who has information about the case, and another person, who received a phone call from a detainee on 4 June 2026.  

On 17 May 2026, the convoy comprising more than 200 participants who had intended to drive to Gaza over land halted its journey and camped at a location approximately 9km from Sirte due to security concerns about the concentration of armed men nearby. One week later, on 24 May 2026, a delegation of 10 convoy participants proceeded toward Sirte to seek permission from the local authorities for the convoy to continue its journey. An armed group affiliated with the LAAF arrested the group at a security checkpoint near Sirte, without informing them of the reasons for their arrest.  

The 10 were then escorted into unmarked white vans and forced onto a plane to Benghazi where they were held in an unknown detention facility without allowing them to contact their lawyers or families. Authorities in eastern Libya had concealed the exact fate and whereabouts of eight detainees since their arrest on 24 May and until 2 June , which amounts to enforced disappearance. The authorities forcibly disappeared the remaining two detainees for two days before a diplomatic official managed to visit them on 27 May 2026. 

The Global Sumud convoy’s mission came to an end on 25 May 2026 after unidentified armed men dispersed the convoy’s encampment and compelled its members to return to Tripoli. That same day, the ministry of foreign affairs of the Benghazi-based “Libyan Government”, allied to LAAF, said in a statement that the convoy had entered Libya while travelling toward Gaza without completing the requisite legal procedures or securing the permits to enter and move within the country.  

The member of Global Sumud Flotilla legal team told Amnesty International that the group had spent months coordinating with relevant authorities and had obtained guarantees ensuring safe passage of the convoy.  

A video published by local media on 2 June 2026 showed the detainees being transferred in police cars to and alighting at the public prosecution’s office in Benghazi. Local media reported that the authorities had transferred the 10 activists to an “illegal” migration detention facility after prosecutors ordered their detention.  

On 3 June 2026, prosecutors interrogated the 10 on the charge of “assembly without authorization”, with a lawyer present. Prosecutors ordered their pretrial detention for 10 days. After the questioning, authorities transferred them to the headquarters of the ISA in Benghazi. For the first time since they were arrested, they were allowed to call their families. 

Since their hunger strike, several detainees have experienced health complications. Despite this, they are receiving little to no medical care at a detention facility run by the Internal Security Agency (ISA) in Benghazi, an armed group operating under the de facto authority of the LAAF with a [https://libya:%20Government%20of%20National%20Unity%20must%20not%20legitimize%20militias%20and%20armed%20groups%20responsible%20for%20harrowing%20abuses%20-%20Amnesty%20International/]well-documented record to involvement in arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment and enforced disappearances. As of 4 June 2026, the ISA continued to deny one detainee regular access to their diabetes medication. Several detainees experienced low blood sugar levels; some fainted and one suffered a seizure. 

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

Bonn, Germany, Tuesday 9 June 2026 — Greenpeace has welcomed the COP31 Presidency’s electrification initiative — a 35% by 2035 target as part of the Action Agenda launch — as a positive step forward, but said it must be coupled with a rapid phase out of fossil fuels as part of a just transition to renewable energy to keep the 1.5°C limit within reach.

While electrifying households, industry and other major sectors with renewable energy is a key component of ending fossil fuel use, a focus alone on growing renewables and expanding electrification will not be enough without a managed, proactive wind-down of fossil fuel production as well.

Speaking from Bonn, Dr Simon Bradshaw, COP31 Lead at Greenpeace Australia Pacific said: “Minister Bowen and his Turkish counterpart Minister Kurum must maintain the global momentum towards a phase out of fossil fuels and ensure that a just transition is at the heart of the COP31 agenda.

“As Minister Bowen said, we are in the middle of a global fossil fuel crisis. Ending the fossil fuel chokehold is the only path towards greater peace and security and the only way to keep 1.5°C within reach. This means no new fossil fuel approvals and a managed phase out of fossil fuel production. 

“Renewable electrification is also the path to universal energy access, better health and reducing inequality, but only if the solutions are accessible to all. This new electrification push should have equity at its heart and maximise the opportunities to leave all communities stronger. 

“Nowhere are the benefits of renewable electrification clearer than in the Pacific. For some countries, fuel import costs are equivalent to 25% of GDP. The region has been hit particularly hard by the current global fossil fuel crisis, with multiple Pacific countries declaring a state of emergency over concerns for fuel and power supply.

“The Pacific is already facing the brunt of a climate crisis and now faces the compounding injustice of an energy crisis brought on by fossil fuel dependence. It did not create either of these crises, but is among the most exposed to both. The Pacific is leading the global push beyond fossil fuels, with the aim of becoming the world’s first fossil fuel free region.” 

“As COP31 President of Negotiations, it’s time for Australia to also lead by example. This means an immediate halt to new fossil fuel projects — including Woodside’s reckless Browse gas project — and developing a national roadmap away from fossil fuel production.”

The past decade has seen strong progress in the roll-out of renewable energy and in 2026 unprecedented momentum is being built towards the phase out of fossil fuels, after 57 committed countries came together in Santa Marta in April and the global energy shock brought on by the war on Iran exposed the inherent risk of fossil fuel reliance.

Coinciding with the Bonn Climate Change Conference, Greenpeace International has released a report outlining the rapid growth in renewables since the Paris Agreement [1] and calling for an accelerated fair, fast and funded just transition through deliberate political choices and strong policy frameworks.[2] 

Berkan Ozyer, Director of Greenpeace Türkiye, said: “It is a deep contradiction that Türkiye, as COP31 host, is championing a vision of electrification in the global arena while continuing to keep 37 active coal power plants running and leaving the door open for new projects at home.

“While dependence on fossil fuels condemns us to expensive energy and a reliance on global supply chains, our massive wind and solar potential is the true key to Turkish independence. Real climate leadership means winning the electrification race, not just by talking about clean energy, but by setting a bold and just coal phase-out date as part of a transition away from all fossil fuels.” 

ENDS

Notes

[1] Read the Greenpeace Energy [R]evolution+10 report

[2] A Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels: Policy Briefing

Photos in the Greenpeace Media Library 

Media contact

Kate O’Callaghan on +61 406 231 892 (Whatsapp/Signal) or [email protected]

Source: Amnesty International –

The authorities’ violent and sweeping crackdown on protests in Pakistan-administrated Jammu and Kashmir – including an internet shutdown, mass arbitrary arrests, and deadly use of force – continues an alarming deterioration of human rights in the region, Amnesty International said.

On 5 June, the region’s authorities issued a notification designating the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) as a “proscribed organization” under the first schedule of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Terrorism Act, 2014. The JKJAAC is a grassroots movement advocating for the economic and political rights of the people of Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir. The group planned to go ahead with a rally today despite a ban by the authorities.

“Branding a grassroots organization as ‘terrorist’ on vague grounds, while simultaneously cutting the region off from the outside world, raises serious concerns regarding the Pakistani authorities’ conduct and their disregard for human rights. The proscription of JKJAAC under anti-terror laws is disproportionate, unlawful and a violation of the right to freedom of association,” said Isabelle Lassee, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia.

The proscription of JKJAAC under anti-terror laws is disproportionate, unlawful and a violation of the right to freedom of association

Isabelle Lassee, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia

“Sealing” the region

On 5 June, Pakistan’s government announced that elections would be held in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir on 27 July. On the same day, it suspended all internet and mobile network signals in the region until 12 June, ahead of a protest planned by the JKJAAC for 9 June after negotiations with the government over the make-up of the region’s legislature broke down.

On 5 June, the authorities also issued an advisory to “outsiders” to avoid travelling to the region from 5 June to 20 June and instructed visitors, particularly tourists, to leave immediately. It was also reported that federal paramilitary troops were deployed.

Activists working with the JKJAAC outside Jammu & Kashmir say that these actions have effectively “sealed” the region, making the flow of information from inside extremely difficult. Those reporting on the protests have also been targeted by authorities. On 6 June, journalist Sohrab Barkat, who is from the region, was arrested under sections 20 (defamation) and 26-A (fake and false information) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 for allegedly “promoting” and “endorsing” the JKJAAC through his YouTube channel. He is currently being held in custody on physical remand.

Escalating crackdown

Since 5 June, the authorities have carried out a brutal crackdown against JKJAAC leaders and members. According to media reports, police arrested more than 100 people associated with the JKJAAC on 6 and 7 June, and raided and sealed the organization’s central office in Muzaffarabad city on 7 June.

JKJAAC activist Shahzeb Habib was shot during an encounter with police on the night of 5 June. He was reportedly travelling in a car with JKJAAC member Umar Nazir Kashmiri when their vehicle was stopped. There is no indication that Shahzeb posed an imminent threat of death or serious injury to the officers. He later died from his injuries.

On 7 June, people gathered outside the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Rawalakot where Shahzeb’s body had been brought for a post-mortem. It has been confirmed by police that at least eight protesters and four police officers were killed during ensuing clashes between law enforcement and protesters. A further 23 police officers and 50 protesters were reported injured.

The alarming escalation of violence, including deaths of protesters, raises serious questions

Isabelle Lassee

“The alarming escalation of violence, including deaths of protesters, raises serious questions. The authorities must conduct an independent inquiry into allegations of the extrajudicial killing of Shahzeb Habib, a thorough and independent investigation into unlawful killings of protesters in Rawalakot and also investigate the alleged deaths of police officers. Those responsible must be held to account in line with international human rights standards,” said Isabelle Lassee.

“Pakistani authorities must take immediate steps to deescalate the situation and practice restraint and strict adherence to international standards on the use of force, and only use force as a last resort, and in line with the principles of necessity and proportionality. Ahead of the upcoming regional elections, it is imperative that Pakistan facilitates peaceful assemblies and does not restrict the right to freedom of association. This should start by lifting the unlawful ban on JKJAAC.”

Background

Talks between the JKJAAC and the government broke down in late May over demands to abolish 12 seats in the region’s legislative assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir who settled in Pakistan after 1947. According to JKJAAC, this is an outdated provision weaponized by political parties to influence the formation of the regional government. Following the failure to reach an agreement, JKJAAC announced it would go ahead with its plan to hold a region-wide strike on 9 June.

There have been previous crackdowns on JKJAAC protests in 2024 and 2025. In May 2024, Amnesty International noted the unlawful use of tear gas and lethal force during the Kashmir Long March by JKJAAC in which three protesters and one police officer were killed. In October 2025, at least nine people were killed, including six protesters and three police officers, and hundreds more injured during protests in the region.

Source: Chatham House –

Head of Chatham House Ukraine Forum gives evidence to UK Parliament Defence Committee on Ukraine war
News release
jon.wallace
9 June 2026

Orysia Lutsevych provided evidence on 9 June, discussing Ukraine’s war effort, the impact of the war on civilians, and public attitudes towards a ceasefire with Russia.

Head of Chatham House’s Ukraine Forum Orysia Lutsevych gave oral evidence to the UK Parliament Defence Committee on 9 June, during a one-off session – discussing the outlook for the war in Ukraine and the possibility of a ceasefire. Her evidence follows the publication of the new Chatham House report, How a Russia–Ukraine ceasefire could imperil Ukrainian and European security.

During her evidence, Orysia discussed the factors that have been contributing to Ukraine’s recent success on the battlefield in the war with Russia, including defence industry innovation, unity of purpose among Ukrainians, and increasing European support amid US withdrawal. 

She also described Ukraine’s challenges: a population exhausted by constant Russian bombardment; internal displacement; and debate about conscription and remuneration. 

Orysia also described growing support inside Ukraine for a ceasefire and the conditions that Ukrainians would accept – resting on credible security guarantees.

Addressing the current situation, Orysia said:

‘I would say the support inside Ukraine for a ceasefire…is growing compared to the start of the war. Ukrainians would accept a ceasefire along the current front line… under the condition of the presence of the multinational force that will jointly with Ukraine…deter the next Russian invasion. That support is strong…but when you start subtracting that multinational force [from an agreement]…of course support for the ceasefire decreases. 

‘I think the main goal of Ukraine is to ensure the next generation of Ukrainians are not fighting against Russia again. But we still see in public opinion polling a strong commitment to endure…for as long as it takes.’

Orysia also called on the UK government to increase its production and supply of long range missiles and air defence interceptors to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian attacks on its cities and critical infrastructure.

Watch the session in full.