Monday, February 16, 2026-As Israel moves quickly to expand its control over the occupied West Bank, Palestinian leaders in the city of Hebron warned this week that local residents are being left dangerously vulnerable.
The acting mayor of Hebron said that recent Israeli legal and administrative changes effectively sideline Palestinian authorities, stripping them of power over urban planning, development, and municipal decisions even in areas officially under Palestinian control. Residents say they feel abandoned as Israeli authorities push deeper into civic life, raising the stakes for everyday security and community governance.
Israeli officials defend the expanded measures as necessary for security and order, but critics — including the United Nations — argue that the steps go far beyond military tactics and are reshaping governance across the West Bank.
The government has eased restrictions on land ownership, broadened enforcement powers into areas previously run by the Palestinian Authority, and taken over planning authority for sensitive sites in Hebron. These changes, approved by Israel’s security cabinet, are seen by many Palestinians and international observers as part of a broader push toward de facto annexation of territory and the erosion of any meaningful self‑rule.
For residents of Hebron, the impact is tangible: local officials now face decisions affecting homes, businesses, and historic sites with little say, while Israel’s legal reach extends deeper into daily life.
The mayor’s stark declaration — “we are not protected” — reflects mounting fear that changes enacted now will cement a long‑term imbalance of power, leaving Palestinian communities exposed amid intensifying control from Jerusalem. With global attention on conflicts in the region, Hebron’s citizens worry that their plight is slipping under the radar even as on‑the‑ground realities shift rapidly.
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