Khaberni - Satellite images have shown the expansion and construction of 3 new Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which were approved in February/February and April/April 2026 by the Israeli government.
Comparison of images taken between April/April and September/September 2026 shows the construction of the settlements "Gad Nathan" and "Makda," located south and southeast of the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank.
The settlement "Gad Nathan" is within what is called the "Gush Etzion Regional Council," and this settlement will be the southernmost within the council’s scope. It will also form part of the council’s expansion towards the city of Hebron.
Meanwhile, Israel officially announced the opening of the "Makda" settlement, and the arrival of the first settler families to the settlement located within what is known as the "Hebron Mountain Regional Council" near the settlement of "Adora," on August 31 last.
Comparison of images during the same period also showed the construction of the "Metsukei Erets" settlement located on Alon Road (Road 458) in the eastern Binyamin area of the West Bank.
On September 23, Israel announced the inauguration of the "Metsukei Erets" settlement within what is known as the "Binyamin Regional Council" in the middle of the occupied West Bank.
The settlement is in a highly strategic location, overlooking the Jordan Valley, Yitav Valley, and Road number 449. The settlement was established about 3 years ago as a farm, then its status was formalized as part of what is called the "settlement revolution."
In March/March 2026, the Israeli government approved a plan involving the construction of 34 new settlements, while Israeli reports indicate a broader plan to establish 104 settlements by converting existing outposts into official settlements.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said after the decision was issued that the Security Cabinet approved a budget of 1.3 billion shekels (about 434 million dollars) to create 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank,
According to analysis by Al Jazeera's Open Source Unit, the settlements are located within or near areas widely considered essential for the establishment of a potential Palestinian state, having been classified within Area (A), under the civil and security control of the Palestinian National Authority.
The analysis of images showed that some of the Israeli settlements, whether those that received government approval or those included in the construction plan, are located less than one kilometer from Palestinian villages, such as the "Noa" settlement in the northern West Bank's Jenin, linked by a land road with the "Amik Dotan" settlement within a wider plan to expand settlements through connecting settlements with land roads and infrastructure.
United Nations bodies, Palestinians, and most countries consider the settlements to be illegal under international agreements.
According to Reuters, about 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
