Israeli security cabinet approved new measures that empower authorities to enforce laws over Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, as reported by various Israeli media outlets. These steps also authorize settlers to purchase land, which has been deemed illegal by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The moves mark a significant shift in policy, breaking with a longstanding rule that prohibited Jewish individuals from buying land in the West Bank.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that these changes will fundamentally alter the legal and civil reality in the West Bank, indicating a push towards expanding settlements in conflict with international law. Alongside Defense Minister Israel Katz, Smotrich highlighted that the government intends to eliminate the prospect of a Palestinian state, further complicating an already tense geopolitical situation.

These developments come just days ahead of a scheduled meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and American officials, which raises concerns about potential diplomatic repercussions. The implications of these new measures could provoke heightened tensions not only in the West Bank but also in Israel's relations with neighboring countries and the broader international community, particularly in light of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.