Hamas says Israel’s West Bank plan may expand annexation efforts

The Palestinian Hamas resistance movement has strongly condemned an Israeli decision to transfer law enforcement powers involving extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank from the military to the Israeli police.

Hamas warned that the move could further promote annexation and Judaization of the occupied Palestinian territories.

In a press release issued on Friday, Hamas said the decision was a dangerous step toward establishing de facto annexation and expanding Israeli control by applying Israeli laws in the occupied areas. It said this was a violation of international law.

“The delegation of these powers to the Israeli police, which is overseen by far-right minister [Itamar] Ben-Gvir, is inextricably linked to the Israeli regime’s strategy of expanding settlements, creating new realities in the West Bank, and offering increased protection and support for the rising violence and criminal acts committed by settlers against our people, their properties, and sacred sites,” Hamas stated.

The group warned against Israeli measures aimed at changing the legal and political status of the occupied West Bank. It said these measures include annexation and Judaization efforts and attempts to undermine the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood.

Hamas called on Arab and Muslim countries, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take immediate political and diplomatic steps against Israeli annexation and settlement plans.

It also urged the international community and the United Nations to take concrete action instead of limiting their response to statements of condemnation. Hamas called for measures to hold Israel accountable and protect the Palestinian people, their land and sacred sites.

Palestinian VP slams Israeli plan as blatant breach of international law

Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh also criticized the Israeli decision on Friday.

Sheikh said the move was “a blatant breach of international law, resolutions of international legitimacy, and established agreements” and another attempt to extend Israeli law and sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, including East al-Quds.

He described the decision as an effort to strengthen the “illegal annexation” of Palestinian land. He also stressed that Israeli settlements are unlawful and that Israel does not have sovereignty over the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967.

Sheikh called on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities, stop the “unilateral and hazardous measures” and pressure Israel to comply with international law and relevant resolutions.

Israeli minister of military affairs Israel Katz has instructed the military to prepare a plan to transfer civilian law enforcement duties involving Israeli settlers in the West Bank to the police, according to Israeli media.

Katz said the military should focus on what he called “Palestinian terrorism” and protecting communities, while the police would handle civilian law enforcement.

The decision comes amid continuing clashes involving Israeli settlers, Palestinians and Israeli forces, as well as growing tensions over the removal of unauthorized settlement outposts.

More than 700,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements across the West Bank, including East al-Quds, according to a 2025 United Nations report.