The Israeli government approved a plan to claim large parts of the West Bank as “state property” if Palestinians cannot prove ownership, sparking accusations of “de-facto annexation.”

The proposal, advanced by far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich, Yariv Levin, and Israel Katz, would resume land registration processes frozen since 1967, making it extremely difficult for Palestinians to prove ownership.

The Palestinian presidency and Hamas condemned the decision, calling it a violation of international law and an attempt to Judaise Palestinian lands.

The move targets Area C, home to over 300,000 Palestinians, where most land was never officially registered due to legal and bureaucratic obstacles, Al-Jazeera has reported.

Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now warned the plan could allow Israel to seize up to 83% of Area C, potentially beginning as early as this year.