It paves the way for the resumption of “settlement of land title” processes, which had been frozen in the West Bank since the Mideast War in 1967. It means that when Israel begins the land registration process for a certain area, anyone with a claim to the land must submit documents proving ownership. Mosab Shawer/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty ImagesThe decision is the latest step to deepen Israeli control over the West Bank. A ‘dangerous escalation’A Palestinian boy rides his bicycle past the archaeological ruins of Sebastia that date back to the Iron Age, west of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, on Feb. 12, 2026. Israel passed a measure in February meant to expand its enforcement of several aspects in the West Bank, including environmental and archaeological matters in Palestinian-administered areas.

Source: Huffington Post February 15, 2026 22:05 UTC