Settler Farms Expand Control in West Bank Using Livestock
A new form of Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, known as "settler farms" or "pastoral outposts," is increasingly utilizing livestock and grazing to assert control over land, according to reports. Unlike traditional settlements that require extensive planning and construction, these farms can begin with minimal infrastructure like tents, caravans, and animal pens, often focusing on sheep and cattle.
These pastoral outposts are particularly prevalent in areas like the Jordan Valley and Masafer Yatta, where they leverage grazing, access to water sources, and the use of roads to expand their territorial influence. While settler organizations promote these sites as agricultural and pastoral activities, monitoring groups argue they are a strategic tool for land appropriation. A joint study by Peace Now and Kerem Navot indicated that over 100 such outposts have been established, controlling at least 786,000 dunams, approximately 14% of the West Bank's area, as of April 2025.
Recent data from Peace Now suggests a significant increase in these outposts. As of August 2026, there were 163 outposts and 227 farms, totaling 390 unofficial sites. Since December 2022, 231 new outposts and farms have been established, allegedly controlling nearly 20% of the West Bank and contributing to the displacement of over 120 Palestinian communities. The Israeli Wall and Settlements Resistance Commission reported the establishment of 42 new outposts in the first half of 2026, with some located in Area B, and the seizure of 4,379 dunams during the same period.
The expansion into Area B, which falls under Palestinian civil authority but Israeli security control, is particularly noteworthy. Peace Now documented at least 21 outposts established in Area B over the past two and a half years. These pastoral farms are directly linked to Palestinian displacement, as restricted access to grazing lands and water sources forces families to buy more feed, reduce their livestock, or seek alternative livelihoods, making continued residency difficult.
Beyond the immediate structures, the control exerted by these farms extends to access roads, water sources, and the grazing areas themselves. Reports indicate the opening of over 220 kilometers of new roads in 2024 and 2025, facilitating access to additional land. The Israeli government has also allocated significant funds, including NIS 50 million in March 2026, for "security components" of nascent settlements, which Peace Now claims have funded these pastoral farms, including vehicles and infrastructure.
This phenomenon is described by some as "de facto annexation," as the cumulative effect of establishing outposts, building roads, and restricting Palestinian access alters the reality on the ground without a single formal annexation declaration. While proponents view it as legitimate settlement activity, critics see it as a method to gradually seize land and displace Palestinian communities.
