Israel re-establishes illegal settlement near Jenin after 21 years

Israel has re-established the Ganim settlement on Palestinian land east of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, 21 years after it was evacuated under Israel’s 2005 disengagement plan, Palestinian news agency Wafa reported on Thursday.

Israeli forces closed roads and access routes in the area to secure the settlers and Israeli officials attending the re-establishment ceremony.

Among those present were Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, settlement leaders and members of the Knesset.

Ganim was one of four settlements in the northern West Bank evacuated in 2005 under then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s disengagement plan.

Israel has increasingly moved to revive or expand settlements that were dismantled under that plan.

The latest move comes amid a broader acceleration of Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.

In July, Israel approved a plan to establish 13 new settlements, drawing strong criticism from Palestinian officials.

The international community considers Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank illegal under international law, while Israel disputes this legal assessment.