Documentation issued by Albaidar Association for the Defense of Bedouin Rights and Targeted Villages indicates that over the past decade, the West Bank has witnessed a significant rise in the establishment of so-called pastoral and agricultural outposts by Israeli settlers. These represent a new form of unofficial and illegal settlement expansion, consisting of farms and livestock enclosures built on Palestinian land. Settlers operate from these sites, spreading across open hills used for seasonal grazing in order to impose a new territorial reality over vast areas of Palestinian land. Palestinians are subsequently barred from accessing or approaching these areas, after which the outposts are often merged into nearby settlements or legalized under the label of “security farms.”
Albaidar explains that, from a political and legal perspective, these outposts are not merely small shepherd communities, but rather a planned settlement project that violates international law and the Geneva Conventions, receiving direct or indirect support from Israeli state institutions. They are frequently established on lands classified as Area C under the Oslo Accords, where Israel maintains full security and civil control. These outposts function as leverage to seize areas far larger than their physical footprint, systematically denying Palestinians access to surrounding lands.
This expansion accelerated significantly after 2021 and intensified further following the October 7, 2023 war. Israeli and international reports estimate that pastoral outposts have seized approximately 786,000 dunams (786 km²) — equivalent to 14% of the total area of the West Bank. However, Albaidar’s documentation suggests that the actual controlled area is considerably larger. Additionally, during 2024–2025, the Israeli government allocated thousands of dunams for settler grazing, lands previously confiscated from Palestinians under designations such as nature reserves or military zones.
Verified Figures and Locations
Statistics documented by Albaidar indicate that settler grazing control — enforced under Israeli military protection — reached 786,000 dunams by 2025, distributed across the Jordan Valley, Hebron, Ramallah and the Ma‘rajat corridor, East Jerusalem, Nablus, and Salfit. These activities have contributed to the forced displacement of more than 66 Palestinian Bedouin communities as of August 10, 2025.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that 25 new outposts were established between the outbreak of the Gaza war and July 2025. Arab media sources citing official and human rights data reported that by the end of 2024, the West Bank contained 256 settlement outposts, including 138 pastoral/agricultural sites, with 36 new pastoral outposts created in 2024, and 23 additional sites documented in 2025 by mid-summer.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) documented the displacement of 636 individuals between early 2025 and mid-July, contributing to a total of 2,895 displaced persons since 2023, largely due to settler violence and access restrictions. In the Jordan Valley, dozens of such incidents have been recorded weekly throughout the summer.
Albaidar further reports that more than 100 pastoral outposts have been established across the West Bank, collectively controlling around 786,000 dunams (14% of the West Bank). Since October 7, 2023, over 7,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced, with approximately 1,100 people displaced in 2025 alone from Mughayir Al-Deir (east of Ramallah), Arab Al-Mleihat (Ma‘rajat north of Jericho), Arab Al-Jahalin (west of Ramallah), Sha‘b Tayma (southeast of Bethlehem), and Bedouin communities in Al-Malih (Northern Jordan Valley).
Historical and Policy Context
On February 2, 2022, Albaidar stated at a press conference in Arab Al-Mleihat that pastoral settlement expansion represents the latest and most dangerous settler policy in the Jordan Valley, involving tents, caravans, and livestock as a cover to impose territorial control. The organization emphasized that this policy aims to reengineer Palestinian presence and constitutes a systematic campaign against Bedouin communities.
In 2023, Albaidar documented the siege of 27 Bedouin communities, alongside military fines, school demolitions, and escalating displacement campaigns targeting areas such as Ma‘rajat east of Ramallah.
Examples of Pastoral/Agricultural Outposts Across the West Bank
In May 2022, Albaidar documented the establishment of seven new pastoral settlements in the Jordan Valley, enabling settlers to seize approximately 80% of grazing-suitable land. This is part of a broader strategy to fragment Palestinian presence in Area C and transform communities into isolated geographic enclaves.
In Ras Ein Al-Auja (north of Jericho), a pastoral outpost and farm seized thousands of dunams, forcing Palestinian shepherds off grazing lands and restricting access to water, resulting in severe livestock and income losses.
In the Ma‘rajat region (between Jericho and east Ramallah), an outpost east of Arab Al-Ka‘abneh triggered settler violence, livestock theft, and intimidation, leading several families to flee.
In Wadi Qelt (Jerusalem–Jericho corridor), a settlement farm (Lechatchila Farm, established in 2024) expelled an entire Palestinian community with Israeli military support.
On August 11, 2025, Albaidar documented a new outpost at Al-Auja Waterfall (north of Jericho) involving land bulldozing and caravan installations under military protection.
In Deir Jarir (east of Ramallah), an outpost established on May 13, 2024 prevented Palestinian shepherds from grazing and caused major economic damage.
In Ras Karkar and Deir Ibzi‘ (west of Ramallah), the Sde Ephraim pastoral outpost (2024) enabled settlers to seize grazing land and intimidate farmers, especially olive growers.
In Wadi ‘Uyun Al-Haramiyah (north of Silwad), a May 2025 outpost resulted in arson attacks, tree cutting, and crop destruction.
In Sinjil and Al-Mazra‘a Al-Sharqiya (June 2025), settlers blocked harvest access, caused millions of dollars in losses, and carried out armed attacks resulting in fatalities and injuries.
On June 17, 2025, settlers established an outpost inside Mughayir Al-Deir, leading to repeated attacks on residents.
In Attara (north of Ramallah), land bulldozing and caravan installation occurred under heavy military protection (August 2025).
In Jalud (east of Nablus), a settlement farm caused repeated arson, olive tree destruction, and equipment losses.
In Beita (Mount Sabih), the Evitar outpost (2021) triggered peaceful protests that were violently suppressed by Israeli forces, resulting in Palestinian civilian casualties.
In Burin (near Yitzhar, 2024), settlers expelled farmers and destroyed olive groves.
In Salem (east of Nablus, July 2025), settlers installed caravans and began infrastructure expansion.
In Jaba‘ (east Jerusalem area, June 2025), a pastoral outpost displaced six families and destroyed homes.
In Masafer Yatta (Hebron), the Metrim Farm (Yinon Levi) displaced Palestinian herding communities amid armed attacks.
In Khirbet Al-Halawa, three pastoral outposts were recorded recently, placing 83% of community land (1,200 of 2,000 dunams) outside Palestinian control.
In Deir Istiya (Salfit Governorate), the Hovot Oppenheimer outpost (July 11, 2025) seized large agricultural areas, blocking farmers’ access and destroying olive-based livelihoods and eco-tourism.
Economic and Political Impact of Settlement Outposts
Economic Consequences
Reduction in grazing lands has severely harmed Bedouin livelihoods, leading to livestock losses, increased feed costs, reduced dairy production, olive tree destruction, and crop burning. Many families can no longer sustain their herds. Thousands of Bedouin families have been deprived of grazing lands and water sources, forcing displacement.
Political Consequences
Pastoral outposts function as de facto annexation tools, fragmenting Palestinian geography and undermining territorial continuity for a future Palestinian state. They contribute to new displacement waves in the Jordan Valley and southern Hebron, further obstructing the two-state solution.
Pastoral Outposts and International Law
UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016) affirms that settlements have no legal validity and constitute a serious violation of international law, calling for an immediate halt — including pastoral outposts.
The International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion (July 19, 2024) concluded that Israel’s presence in occupied Palestinian territory is illegal and that transferring settlers violates Article 49(6) of the Fourth Geneva Convention, urging states not to recognize or support this situation.
Albaidar’s Recommendations
Diplomatic Level
Internationalize the pastoral outpost file by submitting documented cases to the UN, Human Rights Council, and special rapporteurs, including coordinates, aerial imagery, victim testimonies, and legal impact analysis.
Call for independent international investigations into systematic coordination between Israeli authorities and settlers.
Activate parliamentary diplomacy to push for formal condemnation and condition relations with Israel on halting settlement activity.
Media Level
Produce multilingual interactive content (GIS maps, short documentaries, photo-reports).
Launch a dedicated online platform tracking pastoral outpost expansion.
Build a global media coalition to ensure ongoing international coverage and amplify affected communities’ voices.
Field Level
Strengthen community resilience through financial aid, reconstruction, water access, electricity, and agricultural supplies.
Train local monitoring teams in legal-grade photo/video documentation.
Develop alternative agricultural and pastoral projects under international supervision to prevent demographic displacement.
Legal Level
Prepare legal case files for the International Criminal Court and universal-jurisdiction national courts, including documented testimonies and forensic evidence.
Leverage sanctions mechanisms such as the Magnitsky Act to target individuals and entities supporting outpost expansion.
Build an international legal network to pursue accountability and train Palestinian lawyers in international humanitarian law documentation.