# Israeli settlement authority shift in West Bank

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/israeli-settlement-authority-shift-in-west-bank
> Updated: 2026-08-13T21:34:52.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Tensions have escalated in the West Bank following reports of increased settler violence and forced displacement of Palestinian residents. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Israel of using settlers to facilitate annexation, noting that attacks in areas like Kusra often occur under the protection of security forces.

In response to these developments, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed officials to prepare a plan to transfer authority over Israeli settlers in the West Bank from the military to the police. Katz stated that the IDF’s role should focus on combating terrorism and protecting borders rather than managing civil matters for settlers.

Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh condemned the decision, characterizing it as a “gross violation of international law” and an attempt to impose Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and East Jerusalem. He has called on the UN Security Council to intervene.

## Claims

- The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Israel of using settlers to carry out attacks aimed at annexing the West Bank. (single source)
- Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the preparation of a plan to transfer authority over Israeli settlers in the West Bank from the military to the police. (single source)
- The Israeli military decided to deploy an additional regular infantry battalion to the Kusra area to strengthen operational control. (single source)
- IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir met with intelligence heads to discuss the situation in the West Bank. (single source)
- Three Palestinian families in Kusra have been isolated from the outside world for three days due to settlers blocking access roads with tents. (single source)
- Israeli forces issued demolition notices for four structures in the village of Kefr Sur. (single source)
- The Tel Aviv administration has decided to establish 104 new settlements in the West Bank. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-13: Palestine condemns Israeli police expansion in West Bank

Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh condemned Israel's decision to transfer civil law enforcement authority in West Bank settlements to the Israeli police, calling it a violation of international law.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/palestine-condemns-israeli-police-expansion-in-west-bank

### 2026-08-13: West Bank: Israel plans to transfer settler authority to police

Israel plans to transfer authority over West Bank settlers from the military to the police amid rising settler violence and the deployment of an additional infantry battalion to the Kusra region.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/west-bank-israel-plans-to-transfer-settler-authority-to-police

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Cite as: Israeli settlement authority shift in West Bank. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/israeli-settlement-authority-shift-in-west-bank