Ramallah:Israeli authorities have declared more than 2,500 dunums of land near Ramallah as 'state property,' affecting several Palestinian villages.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English, the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission reported that on November 3, 2026, Israeli occupation authorities issued a declaration designating 2,536.44 dunums of land from the villages of Beitillu, al-Mazra'a al-Qibliya, and Deir Ammar, located northwest of Ramallah, as 'state property'. The declaration, referenced as ??/08/26, covers areas around the settlement of Kerem Reim, based on Military Order No. 59 of 1967 concerning government property.
The commission stated that the declared lands are spread across Natural Blocks 1 and 6 in Beitillu, Blocks 2, 3, and 6 in al-Mazra'a al-Qibliya, and Block 5 in Deir Ammar. The map accompanying the declaration illustrates boundaries extending over large, irregular areas with excluded parcels, necessitating verification of each affected plot against declared boundaries and land-rights documents.
In its analysis, the commission noted that the declaration could enhance connectivity among settlements in the 'Talmonim' bloc, particularly Kerem Reim, Neria, and Nahliel, extending toward Talmon and Dolev. This connectivity is further supported by herding outposts, which exert control beyond built-up areas, affecting farmers and shepherds, and land usage between settlements.
The commission warned that the cumulative effect of these declarations risks fragmenting the geographical contiguity in the northwest Ramallah area, strengthening settlement links and roads while restricting Palestinian movement and access to their lands. It emphasized the need for documenting incidents of denied access and attacks, gathering ownership records, and submitting legal objections within 45 days of the declaration's publication.
The commission also cautioned against 'state land' declarations being used to entrench control over Palestinian land and facilitate settlement expansion. It stated that administering these areas under Israel's government property custodian would enhance control over their use, impacting agricultural and urban development in the affected villages and pressuring their land reserves.
The declaration allows individuals claiming rights to the land to file objections within 45 days at the Objections Committee at Ofer military camp, following specified procedures. The commission urged urgent legal action, including coordination with local councils and legal institutions, to protect residents' rights and challenge land control measures.