Israeli settlers have returned to Kadim, a settlement in the West Bank that was evacuated two decades ago, with approximately thirty "pioneer families" establishing a presence on a wave of nationalism. This resurgence is accompanied by the rapid construction of new Israeli military bases and outposts in the Jenin area, including one on land under full Palestinian Authority control.
The return of settlers to Kadim, located near the West Bank city of Jenin, occurred on August 20, 2026. Palestinian residents describe the past twenty years without settlers as a period of "bliss," contrasting it with the current situation, which they characterize as "hell orchestrated by them and their assaults." Fear and vulnerability are prevalent among Palestinians, with one resident expressing concerns for his children's safety due to the presence of armed settlers.
Alongside the settler presence, two new Israeli military bases are under construction, featuring concrete walls, watchtowers, and barbed wire. A military outpost is also being established on seized Palestinian land adjacent to Jenin Refugee Camp. This marks the first such base built on land under full Palestinian Authority control since the 1993 Oslo Accords. The Israel Defense Forces have stated the outpost's construction in Jabriyat is "in accordance with operational needs."
The Palestinian Authority Governor for Jenin, Kamal Abu al-Rub, voiced concerns that the land seizures signal a plan to house settlers within Palestinian urban areas, potentially dividing cities like Hebron or Jerusalem. The pace of change has been rapid, with numerous Palestinian shops and businesses near Kadim reportedly demolished by the Israeli army in recent weeks, leaving behind piles of rubble.
Residents report that settler activity and demolitions have intensified, limiting movement, cutting off roads, bulldozing land, and felling trees. This development occurs against a backdrop of what some Palestinians perceive as a global disinterest in their situation, with major powers preoccupied with other international conflicts and domestic issues. The Israeli government is reportedly driving this surge in settler activity.