Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich announced a 113 million shekel ($37 million) allocation to take control of more than 70 historical sites across the occupied West Bank. This funding, approved by a government steering committee on Tuesday, August 5th, 2026, builds on a previous 250 million shekel ($83 million) plan approved in May targeting archaeological sites in the West Bank, the Jordan Valley, and other areas.

The Settlements Ministry is set to receive 157 million shekels ($52 million) in direct funding, along with an additional 142 million shekels ($47 million) in commitment authorisations. On the same day, the Knesset’s Finance Committee separately approved close to 300 million shekels (about $99 million) in direct funding and commitments to Israel’s Settlements Ministry.

Since 2022, about 104 settlements and 160 outposts have been approved in the occupied West Bank, according to Smotrich. Israeli funding for settlement expansion continues amid an intensified campaign of settler violence against Palestinians, with Palestinian media reporting more than 11,000 settler and military attacks in the region so far this year.

Other recent events noted include a funeral for a family killed in a US strike on Iran’s Qeshm Island, casualties from a Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv, and the arrest of an armed man at former President Trump’s Los Angeles golf course ahead of his visit.

Sources