Israeli settlements in West Bank and East Jerusalem reach record levels

Israeli settlements and outposts in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem have reached record levels of expansion. According to the Israeli watchdog Peace Now, there are currently 163 illegal settlements in these territories, including 148 in the West Bank and 15 in East Jerusalem.

These communities are home to approximately 750,000 Israelis, representing about 10 percent of Israel’s Jewish population. The settlement network has evolved from isolated hilltop outposts into a complex system of towns, roads, and highways connecting them to Israel. In 2025, nearly 28,000 housing units were advanced within existing settlements in the West Bank, marking significant growth compared to the establishment of new outposts.