World
Israeli Settlements: EU Reports 54 New Official Settlements in West Bank in 2025
The European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's diplomatic arm, published its annual report on July 17, 2026, documenting Israeli settlement expansion in occupied Palestinian territories. In 2025, the Israeli government approved 54 new official settlements in the West Bank—an annual record. Additionally, 86 informal outposts were established, 58 with agricultural or pastoral purposes. A total of 63,311 housing units were planned—more than double the previous 2023 record. The number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem now approaches 800,000. The EEAS describes this expansion trajectory as leading toward de facto annexation and erosion of Palestinian statehood.