Israel has passed the final step required to commence the construction of a controversial settlement project near Jerusalem that would effectively divide the occupied West Bank in two, as stated in a government tender. The tender, aimed at soliciting bids from developers, paves the way for the initiation of the E1 project. The Peace Now anti-settlement monitoring group was the first to report the tender. Yoni Mizrahi, who leads the group’s settlement watch division, mentioned that initial construction work could kick off within the next month.
The E1 area, located east of Jerusalem, has been under consideration for settlement development for over two decades but was stalled due to previous U.S. administrations’ pressure. The international community widely views Israeli settlement activities in the occupied West Bank as unlawful and a hindrance to peace efforts. The E1 project, in particular, has sparked controversy as it extends from the outskirts of Jerusalem deep into the occupied West Bank, with critics arguing that it would impede the establishment of a cohesive Palestinian state in the region.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right politician overseeing settlement policies, has been a proponent of realizing the E1 plan. In August, he emphasized the tangible impact of settlements on the Palestinian state, stating that each new settlement and housing unit undermines the concept of a Palestinian state. The recently published tender, accessible on Israel’s Land Authority website, invites proposals for the development of 3,401 housing units. Peace Now noted that the release of the tender signifies an expedited effort to advance construction in the E1 area.
In a separate development, Syrian and Israeli officials engaged in talks mediated by the U.S. in Paris to broker a security agreement and ease tensions between the two nations. A joint statement following the meeting highlighted discussions on respecting Syria’s sovereignty, ensuring Israel’s security, and fostering prosperity for both countries. Both parties agreed to establish a joint communication cell to facilitate immediate coordination on intelligence sharing, military de-escalation, diplomatic engagement, and commercial opportunities under U.S. supervision.
The talks between Syria and Israel come amidst evolving dynamics following a change in leadership in Syria. Insurgents, led by the current interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, ousted the long-standing autocratic leader Bashar Assad in a rapid offensive in December 2024. Al-Sharaa expressed a desire to avoid conflicts with Israel, but tensions have persisted, with Israel taking swift actions to secure areas previously under UN supervision in southern Syria.
Moreover, Israeli forces have conducted numerous airstrikes on Syrian military installations and periodic incursions into villages near the buffer zone, leading to occasional clashes. Syrian officials have emphasized the withdrawal of Israeli forces and a return to the 1974 agreement as their primary objectives in the talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office underscored the importance of ensuring security for its citizens, preventing border threats, and safeguarding the Druze minority in Syria, a significant minority in Israel as well.
In another development, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported that 11 individuals sustained injuries during an Israeli incursion at a West Bank university. The president of Birzeit University condemned the intrusion by about 20 Israeli military vehicles onto the campus, labeling the act as a recurring display of aggression. Video footage corroborated the presence of Israeli forces on campus, with reports indicating clashes between the troops and hundreds of individuals, some allegedly throwing rocks.
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