Israeli Minister Approves Gun Licences for 18 Illegal West Bank Settlements

UN Documents Over 1,800 Israeli Settler Attacks Against Palestinians in 2025

The United Nations has documented over 1,800 attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in 2025, with approximately five incidents occurring daily. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, these attacks resulted in casualties or property damage in around 280 communities across the West Bank.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has approved the issuance of gun licenses to Israelis in 18 additional settlements in the occupied West Bank. This decision is part of a broader effort by the government to expand illegal outposts, which have been criticized for undermining prospects for a two-state solution.

Ben-Gvir stated that the new policy aims to “enhance self-defence and increase personal security” among settlers. The minister noted that over 240,000 Israelis have received gun permits since the expansion of this policy, compared to around 8,000 permits issued annually in previous years.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 2024 that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and should come to an end “as rapidly as possible.” The court’s decision has been widely reported and has sparked international debate on the issue.

In recent months, Israel has formalized plans to develop the E1 settlement project and push forward plans to expand settlements near Jerusalem, the Jordan Valley, and across Ramallah. Additionally, 19 settler outposts built without government approval were retroactively approved by the Israeli government in December.

The number of settlements and outposts in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem has increased by nearly 50 percent since 2022, from 141 to 210 now. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has documented a significant increase in settler attacks against Palestinians in recent years, with over 1,800 incidents reported in 2025 alone.

Source: Al Jazeera