Israel security cabinet approves rules to increase control over West Bank

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by Al Jazeera Staff,News AgenciesFebruary 8, 2026 at 11:36 PM

AI Summary

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Israel's security cabinet approved new rules on February 8, 2026, to increase Israeli control over the occupied West Bank. The new measures will ease land purchases for Israeli settlers and grant Israeli officials greater authority over Palestinians in the area. The Palestinian presidency condemned the decision as an attempt to legalize settlement expansion and called for international intervention. Jordan also criticized the move as an attempt to impose illegal Israeli sovereignty, while Hamas urged Palestinians to confront Israeli forces and settlers. The changes include removing restrictions on private Jewish land purchases and increasing Israeli supervision in areas managed by the Palestinian Authority.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Jordan 40% United Nations Security Council 40% United States 40% East Jerusalem 40% Mahmoud Abbas 50% Gaza ×250% Hamas 60% Palestinian Authority (PA) ×370% Palestinian presidency ×270% Israel ×690% West Bank ×795%

Keywords

west bank 100% israeli control 90% settlement expansion 80% land confiscation 70% israeli settlers 60% palestinian authority 60% occupied territories 50% hamas 40% sovereignty 40%