The cabinet has officially legalized 19 previously unauthorized settler outposts in the West Bank, including two that were vacated during the 2005 Disengagement. The decision, backed by key ministers, has drawn strong criticism from Palestinian officials and international bodies, who warn it will deepen tensions and undermine prospects for a future Palestinian state. Settlement leaders and advocacy groups celebrated the move, particularly the return to outposts evacuated two decades ago, while pledging to continue expanding Jewish presence in the region.

This legalization follows a recent wave of approvals for new settlements and retroactive recognition of outposts, marking a significant acceleration in settlement activity. United Nations reports indicate that settlement expansion is at its highest rate in years, with tens of thousands of new housing units advanced or approved. The international community largely considers these settlements illegal, a position Israel disputes, citing historical and security reasons.

The surge in settlement activity has coincided with increased violence in the West Bank since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. Over a thousand Palestinians and dozens of Israelis have been killed in the region, with a sharp rise in settler attacks on Palestinians and their property. United Nations officials have condemned the expansion and the escalation of violence, warning that these trends threaten the viability of a future Palestinian state and the rights of the Palestinian people.