**Jerusalem** – In a move that has intensified international condemnation and significantly dimmed prospects for a two-state solution, Israel's security cabinet has officially sanctioned the establishment of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. This latest expansion, championed by far-right ministers, is explicitly aimed at thwarting the formation of an independent Palestinian state, a long-standing objective of the Palestinian leadership and a cornerstone of international peace efforts. The decision comes against a backdrop of escalating conflict in Gaza, where a dire humanitarian crisis is unfolding, and a concurrent surge in Israeli defence exports reaching record highs.
The proliferation of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, widely regarded as illegal under international law, has been a persistent impediment to peace negotiations. However, the current Israeli government, particularly figures like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, has demonstrably accelerated this policy since 2022, moving beyond mere approval to the formalisation of previously unauthorised outposts, now being rebranded as "neighbourhoods" of existing settlements. This latest tranche brings the total number of settlements sanctioned by this administration to an alarming 69, signalling a determined effort to cement Israeli control over territory designated for a future Palestinian state, including areas surrounding East Jerusalem, envisioned as its capital.
This aggressive settlement expansion is occurring concurrently with the devastating war in Gaza, which commenced in October 2023. The conflict has not only amplified violence across the occupied territories but has also heightened fears that the entrenchment of settlements will irrevocably undermine the viability of a sovereign Palestinian state. Meanwhile, Gaza's Ministry of Health has issued stark warnings regarding critical shortages of essential medical supplies. Reports indicate that 321 items on the list of essential medicines are out of stock, representing a 52% deficit, while medical consumables face a staggering 71% shortage, with 710 items unavailable. Laboratory and blood bank supplies are also critically depleted, with a 59% shortfall. These shortages, exacerbated by restrictions on the entry of vital aid, threaten to leave hundreds of thousands of patients without access to necessary emergency care, surgical services, and intensive treatment.
Paradoxically, while the humanitarian situation deteriorates in Gaza, Israeli defence companies have reported unprecedented financial success. In 2024, these companies achieved record revenues, with Israel's defence exports surging by 13% to nearly $15 billion. Missiles, rockets, and air defence systems, products often marketed as "battle-tested" in the crucible of the Gaza conflict, have seen a significant uptick in demand. Over half of these exports have been directed towards European militaries, with the Asia Pacific region, led by India, also a major market. This boom in the arms trade occurs at a time when Israel faces intense international scrutiny, including allegations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and potential arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court for its officials.
Antony Loewenstein, an author and commentator on the arms trade, suggests that Israel is effectively "selling the idea of getting away with it," implying that its military actions are perceived as having minimal international repercussions. Shir Hever, an Israeli arms trade specialist, further elaborates on how the ongoing conflict serves as a potent marketing tool, driving demand for Israeli weaponry. The convergence of accelerated settlement expansion, a deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and a flourishing defence industry paints a grim picture of the current realities in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, further complicating any potential path towards a lasting and equitable resolution.