Israel to Establish Eight New Settlements in Hebron Hills Following Deadly Attack

The Hebron Regional Council announced Sunday the establishment of eight new settlement points across the region, including two community settlements and six agricultural farms. This decision follows a fatal shooting attack at the Yehuda junction on Friday, which claimed the lives of Sergeant Major Ron Yonatan Reitman, 23, from Ashkelon, and Sergeant Yuval Shai Suilam, 20, from Hod Hasharon. The initiative is being undertaken in cooperation with and with the backing of the Settlement Management at the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Defense itself, and the Amanah movement. Its stated goals are to create settlement continuity in the Hebron region, safeguard state lands, and bolster security along roads and in open areas.

The two new settlements planned are Migdal, situated between Negohot and Eshkolot, overlooking the Lachish settlements, and Nofei Golot, to be established between Otniel and Afika. Alongside these, six agricultural farms will be established at various locations. Two farms, Mitzpeh Tzur near Telam and Noy near Carmey Yehuda and Adora, will be located near the site of the recent attack. Lev Amit farm will be established south of these, between the new settlement Makda and Adora. Three additional farms are Eshal, named after Elikim Shlomo Leibman, who was murdered on October 7th, to be built between Negohot and Eshkolot near Migdal; Lem'an Achai, between Otniel and Shmaya; and Mitzpeh Or, between Carmel and the nature reserve in the Judean Desert.

According to the Council, Mitzpeh Or aims to strengthen the presence in the desert area, alongside the existing Tzorashim and Mitzpeh Darga farms. Immediately after the attack on Friday, Head of the Hebron Regional Council Eliram Azulai met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz at the scene. Azulai presented two key demands: the immediate demolition of illegal structures near settlement roads and fences, which he argued pose a security threat, and the approval of a broad settlement plan including new settlements and farms.

The Council stated that the settlement plan received backing and has begun immediate implementation. Azulai explained that the terrorists' aim was to instill fear and harm settlement efforts, thus necessitating an expansion of settlements as a response. He asserted that strengthening settlements in the Hebron region would contribute to the security of the Negev, the Shefela, and central Israel. "Terror seeks to cut short lives, instill fear, and undermine our hold on the homeland, but our historical and Zionist response is being written on the ground," Azulai stated. "We will not retreat or fold. Out of the immense pain and fracture over the fall of our heroic soldiers, we choose life and deepen our roots." He thanked the relevant bodies for their support, declaring, "The establishment of the two settlements and six farms is a clear statement: we are here to stay, build, and grow."