Israeli settlers have propped up a number of tents on Palestinian territory near the illegal settlement of Kiryat Arba in southern occupied West Bank, according to local sources on 20 July.

The sources went on to say that dozens of settlers under the protection of Israeli forces set up tents on Palestinian land as a prelude to establishing new outposts to expand territory and to advance Israel’s colonization project.

Media coverage: "Colonial Israeli settlers set up two illegal settlement outposts near the town of Burqin, west of Salfit, and the village of Beit Ainoun, north of Hebron, in occupied West Bank." pic.twitter.com/HbKihDRDrH

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) July 21, 2022

The Palestinian land on which the Israeli settlers have set up their tents are owned by local Palestinian Hammouda Jaber, who told the Palestinian News and Info Agency (WAFA) that the settlers were accompanied by Israeli authorities on the land.

Jaber said that these settlers, who are from Kharsina and Kiryat Arba, have attempted to install an outpost in the area several times over the past few years.

This scheme is part of Israel’s preparations to build 4,427 illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to numerous rights groups.

Back in May, watchdog and activist group Peace Now revealed that a total of 2,791 housing units had received final approval from the Civil Administration Planning Committee, and 1,636 units had been granted initial approval.

Plans to increase the occupation of the West Bank were leaked at a time of heightened tensions over the killing of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Aqla by Israeli forces in the refugee camp of Jenin.

Since 1967, over 700,000 settlers have migrated to illegal settlements across occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, which currently houses 2.9 million Palestinians.

Israel’s colonization process is illegal under international law but has been maintained under all Israeli governments since 1967.

Settler communities are granted permission to build permanent structures connected to the electrical grid and water supply, while building permits for Palestinians living alongside them are almost always denied.

Many Palestinians live under the constant threat of eviction, and face a rising tide of settler violence designed to displace them from their homes.

The practice is considered by most of the international community to be illegal, and a major impediment to achieving lasting peace.

The Israeli Civil Administration announced on 6 May that Tel Aviv is set to approve the construction of another 3,988 new illegal settler units in the West Bank.