Egypt issued an official statement harshly condemning the Israeli government’s decision to resume land registration and settlement procedures in the occupied West Bank for the first time since 1967. Egypt called the move a “dangerous escalation” aimed at consolidating Israel’s control over the occupied Palestinian territories and undermining the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Israel resumes West Bank settlingThe Israeli government’s decision, approved by the cabinet on Sunday, marks the first official step to resume land registration in the West Bank since its occupation in the June 1967 Six-Day War. This decision allows for the conversion of Palestinian land into Israeli “state land,” facilitating settlement construction and preventing Palestinians from claiming ownership rights. Historically, Israel froze registration procedures after the occupation to avoid recognizing Palestinian rights, but this move is now seen as an attempt to solidify de facto annexation, particularly following previous decisions such as the annexation of the Jordan Valley in 2020.

Source: Egypt Independent February 16, 2026 09:01 UTC