How did Israeli settlement construction affect tensions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip?

Israeli settlement construction has been a central driver of tension in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since 1967. By establishing communities in occupied territories, Israel created significant friction regarding land ownership, security, and the viability of a future Palestinian state.123

In the West Bank, the aggressive expansion of settlements—often involving the expropriation of Palestinian land—has fueled long-standing grievances. The presence of settlers and the infrastructure supporting them have led to increased military presence, movement restrictions for Palestinians, and a rise in settler vigilantism. Recent years have seen a sharp increase in settlement activity, including the authorization of new outposts and land seizures, which have further destabilized the region and complicated prospects for a two-state solution.241

In the Gaza Strip, the presence of settlements was a major source of conflict until Israel’s unilateral disengagement in 2005, when all settlements and military forces were withdrawn. While this ended direct friction between settlers and Palestinians in Gaza, the subsequent Hamas takeover and the resulting blockade have kept the territory at the center of frequent, destructive escalations.15