2025 sees surge in West Bank settlements, Palestinian casualties

• 2025 sees unprecedented escalation in West Bank settler activity, forced displacements, and Palestinian casualties.
• Over 18,500 Palestinians arrested; settler attacks hit record levels, challenging the two-state solution.

The West Bank experienced an unprecedented escalation in political and field tensions in 2025, marked by increased 'Israeli' military operations, settlement expansion, and annexation plans.

Settlements and Annexation Plans

Projects in 2025 aimed to annex nearly 82 percent of West Bank lands, focusing on the northern Jordan Valley and expanding settlements at an unprecedented rate. Peace Now and other monitoring groups reported the establishment of 114 new outposts and the legalization of 19 existing ones, including Tarousa west of Dura, which became an official settlement.

Read more: 'Israel's' "Greater Jerusalem" engulfs heart of the West Bank

The reactivation of settlements evacuated in 2005, along with the expansion deep into densely populated Palestinian areas, represents a major shift in settlement policy under 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, with a 40 percent rise in settlement activity compared to previous years.

Palestinian Casualties and Forced Displacement

'Israeli' military and settler attacks caused at least 1,103 Palestinian deaths and approximately 11,000 injuries throughout 2025. Forced displacement disproportionately affected families in Area C and around Jerusalem and Hebron.

Settler violence surged, with more than 2,800 documented attacks, physical assaults, property destruction, and land seizures representing a 25 percent increase over 2024. October was the deadliest month, with 264 attacks, the highest monthly total in two decades.

Read more: Gaza mourns 2025 as another deadliest year, fears of displacement grow

Widespread Arrests

The West Bank saw large-scale arrests, exceeding 18,500 cases during 2025. Targeted groups included women, children, journalists, and human rights activists. Notably, journalist Ashwaq Awad was detained in Hebron. Administrative detention was widely used, with hundreds held without charges or trial.

Resistance and Response

Despite the heightened repression, Palestinian resistance persisted. In December alone, 82 acts of popular resistance were recorded, including stabbings, vehicle attacks, stone-throwing, and attacks on occupation vehicles. A notable incident on December 26 in Bisan resulted in the deaths of two settlers and injuries to a third. The attacker, from Qabatiya south of Jenin, was arrested after sustaining moderate injuries.

International Response

Internationally, plans to annex large portions of the West Bank drew widespread criticism. Britain, Canada, and other countries deemed the measures illegal, warning that they undermine peace prospects. Recognition of Palestinian statehood increased, particularly during the UN General Assembly session in September, as countries expressed concern over escalating violations and called for immediate adherence to international law.

Outlook

The year 2025 marks a turning point for the West Bank, with settlement expansion, annexation schemes, and settler violence creating a highly volatile environment. Analysts warn that the trends threaten the two-state solution and exacerbate long-standing political and humanitarian crises in the region.