Gaza Herald – The Israeli army has approved an amendment to the Planning and Building Law in the occupied West Bank, allowing unlicensed buildings in settlement outposts to connect to water and electricity networks before their organizing plans are officially approved. This move aims to provide basic services to structures that have not yet completed legal procedures.
The Central Command commander of the Israeli army signed the amendment on September 23, 2026. According to reports, the regulation grants exceptions to connect specific buildings to infrastructure networks for a period of three years, which is renewable. This process does not require prior approval of organizing plans.
Bimkom – Planners for Human Rights stated that this measure represents an additional step toward imposing a new settlement reality on the ground. The organization argued that providing life necessities to outposts before completing planning processes helps stabilize their presence and facilitates future legalization.
Reports indicated that the amendment applies to buildings constructed before February 12, 2023, located at sites undergoing legalization efforts. Conditions regarding land status and owner consent apply where applicable. A previous instance involved connecting the Maon Tzur outpost to infrastructure before the amendment was enacted.
Bimkom emphasized that this policy deepens discrimination between settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank. While restrictions limit Palestinian construction and licensing, facilitations allow settlement buildings to receive services without full compliance. Critics warn that using utilities as a tool entrenches outposts, making future evacuation difficult and expanding settlements at the expense of Palestinian lands.
This report was produced in the Gaza Herald newsroom.
