Israel launches electronic system for registering Palestinian land in West Bank ahead of annexation push

Israel on Thursday launched a new electronic system called the “Land Registry and Settlement of Rights” in the occupied Palestinian territories, in a move specialists described as part of a legal and administrative annexation project in the West Bank, particularly Area C.

They said the move marks a shift from what they described as “silent gradual annexation to declared annexation through digital and administrative tools”.

The launch follows a decision by Israel’s security cabinet in May 2025 to begin a comprehensive settlement of land ownership across the West Bank, with the aim of completing land registration under Israeli administration.

According to available information, the project officially began on 15 February 2026 after powers related to land registration were transferred to the Israeli Justice Ministry and the Survey of Israel authority. A budget of 244 million shekels (US$ 79 million) was allocated to the project.

The project aims to register nearly 58 per cent of land in Area C, equivalent to around 35 per cent of the occupied West Bank, excluding occupied East Jerusalem, as part of what Israel describes as a “settlement of property rights” process.