Smotrich publishes photos of Jenin demolitions as Israel rebuilds evacuated West Bank settlements
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Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich publishes photographs on Wednesday showing the demolition of Palestinian buildings in Jenin, in the occupied West Bank. The demolitions mark the start of work to rebuild the Ganim and Kadim settlements, evacuated in 2005, under an Israeli security cabinet plan that also includes 19 new settlement units and the recognition of six outposts.
The Jenin Demolitions
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich shared images on social media on Wednesday of bulldozers clearing Palestinian structures in the Jenin governorate. Smotrich, who has previously boasted about demolishing what he calls 'illegal' Palestinian buildings, said the work was aimed at preparing the ground for the reconstruction of the Ganim and Kadim settlements. Those settlements were evacuated in 2005 as part of Israel's disengagement from Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank. The operation was authorized under a broader settlement expansion plan approved by Israel’s security cabinet.
Settlement Expansion Plan
The Israeli security cabinet earlier approved a plan sponsored by Smotrich and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz to establish 19 new settlement units across the West Bank. The package includes the establishment of 11 new settlement sites, the rebuilding of Ganim and Kadim, and the formal recognition of six unauthorized outposts. According to Peace Now, the West Bank already hosts around 500,000 Israeli settlers among 3 million Palestinians, with 365 Jewish settlements, including 141 state-sanctioned and 224 unauthorized outposts. International law prohibits the transfer of an occupying power’s population into occupied territory, and the United Nations considers the settlements illegal.
What's Next
The demolitions in Jenin are expected to continue as Israeli authorities advance construction plans. It remains unclear whether the international community will impose measures beyond diplomatic condemnation.
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Smotrich publishes photos of Jenin demolitions as Israel rebuilds evacuated West Bank settlements
