Israeli settlers move into houses near Jericho

Several families of Israeli settlers have moved into eight homes near the city of Jericho in the occupied West Bank as of November 5, 2026. Hanan Greenwood, a spokesperson for the regional council of Israeli settlements, confirmed that the properties were acquired with the assistance of the Nachala organization, an ultra-orthodox movement that promotes the establishment of Jewish settlements and advocates for the annexation of the West Bank, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967.

Palestinian officials have formally challenged the legality of the move, accusing the settlers of utilizing forged documents to claim ownership of the land. The Palestinian governor of Jericho maintains that the territory belongs to the Palestinian Authority and cannot be sold. This development has raised significant concerns regarding potential escalation in violence, as tensions in the region have been high since October 7, with several local Palestinian communities already having been displaced due to settler pressure.

The European Union has previously imposed sanctions on the Nachala organization for its role in encouraging violence and the forced displacement of Palestinians. The situation remains volatile, with both sides presenting conflicting legal claims over the property ownership.