The Palestinian Authority’s arms and annexation race

The Palestinian Authority’s arms and annexation race: More than 19,000 illegal structures have been built over the years, many within only a kilometer of the fence.

A multi-story building, massive villas, and a factory covering 21,000 square meters create dangerous territorial contiguity in western Samaria, threatening what was intended as a “sterile zone” along the security seamline.

Just a few minutes from the communities of Elkana and Etz Efraim in Samaria, and only a few kilometers from the security barrier near Rosh HaAyin, a sprawling Palestinian neighborhood is being established, effectively connecting the Palestinian Authority-controlled villages of Mas’ha and Biddya. The construction is progressing rapidly, with heavy machinery actively developing the area virtually round the clock. Even a brief tour of the site is enough to leave one speechless: a high-rise residence with preparations for a swimming pool in the yard, luxurious villas and a massive industrial structure spanning 21,000 square meters.

Regavim’s analysis of aerial photographs and other documentation prove that construction began during the COVID-19 pandemic and has accelerated over the past two years. All construction is taking place in Area C, which is under full Israeli responsibility and control, without any permits or Israeli oversight.

Recent publications highlighting the threat in the seam zone have focused attention on developments east of the security fence in Judea and Samaria. This new expose’ reveals that in the seam zone area, comprised in part of designated IDF firing zones and state lands, no less than 19,000 illegal structures have been built over the years , some within only 1 kilometer of the fence.

Roi Druker, Regavim’s Field Coordinator for Judea and Samaria: “The rampant illegal construction out of Mas’ha and Biddya is creating a major threat. Masquerading as innocent civilian construction, these projects are far from innocent and far from random. They are the building blocks of Palestinian territorial contiguity, links in the chain of thousands of illegal structures that Israel has ignored for years, allowing construction violations to become a clear and imminent strategic threat. These very structures – homes, villas, factories and roads – are the foundations of a Palestinian state in the heart of the Land of Israel.” Drucker added, “The people of Israel have learned the hard way that any construction near the security fence is a potential launching bad and base of operations for terror, and Israel can no longer abandon the seamline area and sit back and wait for the next October 7th. The time to act is now.”