Israel has formally shifted policing authority in parts of the occupied West Bank from its military administration to civilian forces, a move widely seen as cementing de facto annexation.

The decision hands significant power to civilian police operating under the Israeli Defence Ministry, a change critics argue empowers settler groups and risks escalating tensions in the territory.

This development follows a period of heightened unrest in the West Bank, where violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians has been on the rise.

The US ambassador to Israel this week condemned escalating settler violence as 'acts of terror'.

Civilian Authority Replaces Military Rule

For decades, Israel's military has held ultimate authority over the West Bank, captured in the 1967 Middle East war. The recent transfer places civilian matters, including law enforcement, under bodies traditionally responsible for Israeli civil affairs.

This administrative reorganisation impacts the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living under occupation, as well as the Israeli settlers residing in communities across the territory.

Israeli West Bank settlement patrol

International Condemnation and Escalating Violence

The shift comes as international concern grows over the increasing frequency and severity of settler attacks. France 24 reported this week on the ongoing violence, which included incidents condemned by the United States.

The US ambassador to Israel this week condemned escalating settler violence as "acts of terror," reflecting a rare public rebuke from a key ally. Such incidents have further destabilised the already volatile region.

Implications for Palestinian Residents

Critics argue that moving policing to civilian bodies effectively extends Israeli domestic law into the occupied territory, blurring the lines of occupation and further marginalising Palestinian governance.

This institutional change is expected to facilitate the expansion of Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law, and consolidate Israeli control over the West Bank.