Ariel: Israeli authorities have issued a tender for 342 new colonial housing units in the Ariel settlement, located on Palestinian land in the Salfit governorate. The Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission announced on Sunday that the Israel Land Authority's tender, numbered 7/2026, is now open for bidding until August 31.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the plan for the new settlement project, named "Ariel West," received approval on May 25, 2025. This development marks a transition from merely approving settlement plans to actively implementing them, with Israeli authorities inviting construction companies to accelerate the expansion of settlements. This particular project is notable for its location in Ariel, one of the largest settlement blocs in the northern occupied West Bank, which has been a focal point for expansion efforts by successive Israeli governments.
The commission highlighted that Israeli authorities issued 12 settlement tenders in the first half of 2026. These tenders encompass various projects, including residential, commercial, industrial, tourism, and service developments. In total, 1,138 colonial housing units are poised for construction across five major settlements, with Ariel accounting for 342 units. The remaining units are distributed among Ma'ale Adumim (581 units), Immanuel (21 units), and Ganei Modi'in (194 units).
In addition to residential projects, the tenders also cover industrial and commercial zones, office buildings, elderly care facilities, and tourism and recreational projects. This indicates an increasing emphasis on enhancing the economic and service infrastructure within settlements, in tandem with residential growth.