Israeli settlers have begun moving into Emek Dotan, a new settlement built on Palestinian land near Arraba, west of Jenin in the northern West Bank, according to Israeli media. Murder Charge Added in Mir Raza Ali Case After Re-Postmortem Channel 7 reported that trucks carrying equipment arrived at the site on Sunday. It said the first settler families had also moved into newly built structures. An official inauguration ceremony was due to take place later on Sunday. Israeli ministers, Knesset members and other public figures were expected to attend. Among those expected were Education Minister Yoav Kisch, Security Cabinet Minister Zeev Elkin and Knesset members Keti Shitrit, Boaz Bismuth and Nissim Vaturi. The settlement forms part of a plan by the Samaria Regional Council to establish 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. The United Nations and most of the international community consider Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory illegal under international law. Israel captured the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Palestinians say settlement expansion contributes to land seizure and fragments their territory. UN Security Council Resolution 2334, adopted in 2016, says Israeli settlements in territory occupied since 1967 have no legal validity and violate international law. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice said Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territories was unlawful and should end as soon as possible. Rafah reconstruction plan Separately, Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz had approved infrastructure work in eastern Rafah, in southern Gaza. Army Radio said the plan aims to create a residential area for Palestinians outside Hamas control. The proposed site, known as Green Rafah, lies within an area controlled by the Israeli military. The report said workers would install electricity, water and sewage systems. It added that Palestinian workers from Gaza could carry out the work after security screening. Netanyahu’s office disputed parts of the report. It said the media account contained outdated information and described the project as a UAE pilot initiative that had been under way for several months. The office also said the Israeli military would supervise electricity, sewage and water works. Continuing Gaza war The reports come as Israel continues its military campaign in Gaza, which began in October 2023. The conflict has caused widespread destruction across the enclave and killed and injured tens of thousands of Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities and international organisations. The settlement expansion and Rafah plans come amid continued international pressure for a political settlement and an end to the conflict. Post navigation Black Sea Attacks Türkiye Condemns Drone Strikes on Merchant Ships
