'We are not protected' says Hebron mayor, as Israel expands control of West Bank
BBC World
February 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The mayor of Hebron has warned that Israel's recent expansion of control over the West Bank marks a significant blow to Palestinian self-determination, effectively shutting them out of decisions regarding urban planning and development in areas they claim as their own. The changes, passed by Israel’s security cabinet, include taking over municipal services in Palestinian-run areas, expanding authority over heritage sites, and assuming planning powers at key locations like the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. Asma al-Sharabati, acting mayor of Hebron, described these moves as "the end of the road" for negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, leaving her community increasingly isolated and vulnerable to further annexation.
Hebron, a city deeply divided between Israeli settlers and Palestinian residents, has long been a flashpoint in the West Bank. The new measures, which build on decades of Israeli control under the Oslo Accords, now extend legal authority over land ownership, heritage sites, and municipal services in areas previously managed by Palestinians. This shift not only undermines Palestinian autonomy but also raises concerns about cultural erasure and resource exploitation. For instance, Israel’s takeover of planning authority at the Cave of the Patriarchs—a site sacred to Jews—symbolizes a broader effort to assert dominance over Palestinian spaces.
The implications for Palestinians are profound. The changes enable Israel to declare buildings as ancient or heritage sites, effectively seizing control of land without Palestinian input. This threatens not only physical spaces but also the livelihoods of those who have lived in Hebron for generations. Issa Amro, a Palestinian activist, describes these moves as a form of annexation that strips Palestinians of their rights and ties to their land. Jibril Moragh, a Hebron resident, echoed this sentiment, recounting his refusal to sell his home to Israeli settlers despite an offer of millions of shekels. The new policies also target property sales to non-Palestinians, with potential consequences for those who have already engaged in such transactions.
For readers interested in global affairs and the Middle East, these developments highlight a critical turning point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The expansion of Israeli control over Palestinian areas not only violates international law but also sets a dangerous precedent for territorial
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/13/2026