SAFA — Israeli settlement planning in the occupied West Bank has accelerated since the beginning of 2026, with authorities advancing plans for thousands of additional settlement units, according to the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission.

The Commission said Sunday that Israeli authorities had advanced 100 settlement plans covering around 12,300 units across the occupied West Bank between the beginning of 2026 and September 13.

Another 53 plans covering 5,783 units have been advanced in occupied Jerusalem within the boundaries imposed by the Israeli municipality, bringing the overall total to 153 settlement plans for more than 18,000 units.

The Commission said the pace accelerated further in September, with 12 plans covering 2,340 settlement units advanced during the month. The plans cover approximately 1,761 dunams of Palestinian land.

It said the figures demonstrate a sharp increase in planning activity aimed at expanding Israeli settlements and consolidating Israeli control over occupied Palestinian land.

Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, are illegal under international law.