The Israeli Cabinet has approved measures to counter unauthorized Palestinian construction in the Judean Desert, an area known as the "Agreement Reserve." This decision comes after revelations that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is behind a large-scale building project in the region, violating previous agreements with Israel.
Major General Avi Blot, commander of the IDF Central Command, has issued an order allowing enforcement actions against the construction, which Israeli officials say has significantly damaged the desert landscape.
According to Gush Etzion Regional Council, the Palestinian project aims to create a continuous Arab settlement between Ramallah and Jordan, potentially disrupting Israel's eastern border security. The council reports that 3,048 illegal structures have been built in the reserve since 2008, with 2,030 of these constructed between 2019 and 2023 alone.
Environmental concerns have also been raised, with reports of wildlife hunting, waste dumping, and extensive land development in the previously protected area.
Yaron Rosenthal, head of the Gush Etzion Regional Council, stated, "We've been warning for a long time that the takeover of the Judean Desert is a strategic plan of the Palestinian Authority."
The Israeli government's decision to intervene in civilian construction in Area B, where the PA typically has civil control, marks a significant policy shift. Officials argue this action is necessary to enforce agreements that the PA has allegedly neglected.
The situation continues to develop, with Israeli authorities planning further steps to halt the construction and preserve the desert's natural state.
* Makor Rishon contributed to this article.