The fragile hope for a negotiated peace in the West Bank faces a crushing blow this week. Palestinian leaders are reeling after Israel announced a sweeping expansion of its legal power over the occupied territory. The move effectively strips local authorities of control over their own land and heritage.
This is not just a change in paperwork. For the people living in the divided city of Hebron, this decision marks a turning point. Acting Mayor Asma al-Sharabati warns that the new measures signal the “end of the road” for any future dialogue between the two sides.
A Major Shift in Authority
The Israeli security cabinet passed a controversial set of rules on Sunday that fundamentally alters life in the West Bank. These changes target the way the territory is governed. For over thirty years, the Oslo Accords dictated that certain powers remain with the Palestinian Authority. That framework is now crumbling.
Under the new directives, Israel is expanding its reach beyond simple military security. The government will now directly manage municipal services and planning in areas that were previously run by Palestinians.
Key changes approved by the cabinet include:
- Urban Planning: Israel assumes direct authority over construction and zoning decisions in broader areas.
- Heritage Sites: A new mandate allows Israel to take over archaeological and historical sites to “protect” them.
- Environmental Control: Water resources and nature reserves will now fall under stricter Israeli supervision.
This shift transfers power from military commanders to civilian ministers. Critics argue this is a form of “de facto annexation” because it treats the occupied West Bank less like a military zone and more like a regular district of Israel.
Hebron at the Breaking Point
Nowhere is this tension felt more acutely than in Hebron. It is the only Palestinian city in the West Bank with a permanent Israeli settlement located directly inside its heart. The city is split into two zones: H1, controlled by the Palestinian Authority, and H2, controlled by the Israeli military.
Asma al-Sharabati serves as the acting mayor of this fractured city. She believes these legal changes are designed to push Palestinians out of the decision-making process entirely.
The atmosphere in Hebron is already volatile. The local population faces daily friction.
The Reality on the Ground in H2:
| Group | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Palestinians | ~33,000 | Subject to military law and checkpoints |
| Jewish Settlers | ~800 | Protected by army, subject to Israeli civil law |
Residents in the H2 area describe a life of severe restrictions. They must pass through metal detectors to go to school or buy groceries. Now, the municipality fears it will lose the ability to fix roads, repair water pipes, or renovate homes without Israeli approval.
The Battle for the Cave of the Patriarchs
A central part of this new Israeli directive focuses on the Ibrahimi Mosque, known to Jews as the Cave of the Patriarchs. This ancient structure is revered by both Muslims and Jews. It is the burial site of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Israel says it will take over full planning authority at this holy site. Officials claim this is necessary to ensure the site is preserved and accessible. They plan to upgrade infrastructure and improve safety standards for Jewish worshippers visiting the site.
However, Palestinian officials see this as a direct violation of religious status quo. The site has long been a flashpoint for violence. By taking control of the planning rights, Israel can bypass the Hebron municipality for any construction projects.
Why this site matters:
- It is the spiritual heart of Hebron.
- Control over the site symbolizes control over the city’s history.
- Changes to the physical structure often spark immediate protests.
The fear among local residents is that “preservation” is just a cover word. They worry that new projects will restrict Muslim access while expanding areas for Jewish prayer.
“Civilianizing” the Occupation
The driving force behind these changes is a broader strategy by the current Israeli coalition government. Senior ministers have pushed to remove the West Bank from military administration. They want to place it under the care of civilian ministries.
This sounds like a boring bureaucratic detail. But it is actually a massive political statement.
Here is why the distinction matters:
- Military Rule: Implies the situation is temporary and based on security needs.
- Civilian Rule: Implies the land is permanently part of the governing country.
By moving these powers to civilian hands, the government is signaling that it intends to stay in the West Bank forever.
Legal experts warn that this blurs the lines of international law. The United Nations and various human rights groups have repeatedly stated that settlements in the West Bank are illegal. Israel disputes this. But transferring municipal powers creates a system where settlers and Palestinians live on the same land but answer to two completely different legal systems.
Asma al-Sharabati and other leaders argue that this effectively kills the two-state solution. If Israel controls the water, the archaeology, the zoning, and the holy sites, there is nothing left to negotiate.
The international community has largely remained silent on these specific technical changes. However, the impact on the ground is immediate. For the 33,000 Palestinians living in the H2 sector of Hebron, the buffer between their daily lives and full Israeli control has just vanished.
As the sun sets over the limestone hills of Hebron, the tension is palpable. The legal papers signed in Jerusalem have real consequences here. For the mayor and her constituents, the expansion of control is not just politics. It is an existential threat to their presence in one of the world’s oldest cities.
The new rules are set to take effect immediately. Palestinian authorities are calling for international intervention, but with the legal framework now shifted, their options are running out. The “end of the road” may have already arrived.
