The article discusses the West Bank, a landlocked territory in the Levant region of Western Asia, which constitutes the main part of the Palestinian territories. It is under Israeli military occupation since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and is divided into three areas: Area A, under the full control of the Palestinian Authority; Area B, under joint Israeli-Palestinian control; and Area C, under full Israeli control. The West Bank is home to over 2.7 million Palestinians and approximately 670,000 Israeli settlers. The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be illegal. These settlements pose challenges to the Palestinian right to self-determination, restrict movement and access, and impact the economy and livelihoods of Palestinians. There are also concerns about the environmental and cultural consequences of the settlements.
Key takeaways:
1. The West Bank is a Palestinian territory under Israeli military occupation.
2. Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal by the international community.
3. Restrictions on movement and access affect Palestinian livelihoods.
4. Israeli control over land and resources hinders Palestinian self-determination.
5. Environmental and cultural impacts are associated with the settlements.