Israel Resumes West Bank Land Grab After 57-Year Freeze

Israel will restart a controversial land registration program in the occupied West Bank. A government decision on Sunday paves the way for the process, frozen since 1967. The move could allow Israel to claim formal control over large areas. The land would then be available for future Israeli settlement development. The procedure is called "settlement of land title." It requires anyone claiming ownership in a designated area to register their claim officially. Land not registered during the open period may fall under Israeli state control. Palestinians and much of the international community view Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal. This new land registration effort is expected to deepen Israel's control over the territory.