Jerusalem – The Israeli security cabinet has formally approved the establishment of nineteen new settlements within the occupied West Bank. This significant expansion, strongly supported by far-right ministers, is explicitly designed to impede the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Such a state has long been a primary objective for Palestinian leadership and a crucial element of international peace initiatives. The decision coincides with escalating conflict in Gaza, where a severe humanitarian crisis is unfolding, and a concurrent record surge in Israeli defence exports.
The continuous growth of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, widely considered illegal under international law, has consistently obstructed peace negotiations. However, the current Israeli administration has notably intensified this policy since 2022. Ministers have moved beyond simple approvals to the formalisation of previously unauthorised outposts, now being officially designated as "neighbourhoods" of existing settlements. This latest action brings the total number of settlements sanctioned by this government to sixty-nine, demonstrating a clear intent to solidify Israeli control over territories designated for a future Palestinian state, including areas surrounding East Jerusalem.
This aggressive settlement expansion is occurring alongside the devastating war in Gaza, which commenced in October 2023. The conflict has not only intensified violence across the occupied territories but has also heightened concerns that entrenched settlements will irrevocably undermine the viability of a sovereign Palestinian state. Meanwhile, Gaza's Ministry of Health has issued urgent warnings regarding critical shortages of essential medical supplies. Reports indicate a 52% deficit in essential medicines, with 321 items out of stock. Medical consumables face a staggering 71% shortage, and laboratory and blood bank supplies are also critically depleted. These severe shortages, worsened by aid restrictions, threaten access to vital healthcare for hundreds of thousands of patients.
Paradoxically, while the humanitarian situation deteriorates in Gaza, Israeli defence companies have reported unprecedented financial success. In 2024, these companies achieved record revenues, with defence exports surging by 13% to nearly $15 billion. Products like missiles, rockets, and air defence systems, often marketed as "battle-tested," have experienced a significant increase in demand. Over half of these exports have been directed towards European militaries, with the Asia Pacific region also being a major market. This boom in the arms trade occurs while Israel faces intense international scrutiny, including allegations of genocide at the International Court of Justice.
Commentators suggest that Israel is effectively "selling the idea of getting away with it," implying a perception of minimal international repercussions for its military actions. The ongoing conflict is serving as a potent marketing tool, driving demand for Israeli weaponry. The combination of accelerated settlement expansion, a deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and a flourishing defence industry presents a grim outlook for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, further complicating any path towards a lasting and equitable resolution.