Bethlehem:Israeli authorities have released a new tender for the construction of 732 settlement units in the "Gevaot" settlement, located west of Bethlehem. This marks the first phase of the project aimed at expanding settlement infrastructure in the region.
According to Maan News Agency, the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission documented this development, noting that the tender was published on Sunday, with a specific focus on multi-story residential buildings complemented by commercial uses and public institutions. The tender, identified by the number 261/2026, is detailed in the Israel Land Authority register.
The tender documents specify that the bidding process will commence on December 1 and conclude on December 28. Additionally, a non-residential tender, numbered 263/2026, has been announced for the same site, targeting trade, operation, and public buildings.
The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission highlighted that the issuance of these tenders signifies a broader colonial expansion strategy that extends beyond residential construction to incorporate economic and service infrastructures. This approach aims to establish a sustainable settlement project on Palestinian land in the Bethlehem Governorate.
The Commission further explained that the tendering process signifies a transition from plan approval to land marketing, which opens opportunities for companies and developers to compete for the project. This step is seen as a move towards actualizing the plans, although construction has not yet commenced.
Data from the Commission indicates that since the beginning of 2026, at least 28 tenders for land marketing in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, have been issued. These include 18 tenders with a residential component encompassing 7,815 settlement units, alongside ten tenders for non-residential purposes.