The Israeli regime has begun establishing a new settlement outpost in the occupied West Bank as part of an illegal move that threatens Palestinian land and could restrict residents’ movement and access to their property, a Palestinian rights group says.

The illegal settlement outpost is being established near the town of Adh Dhahiriya, south of Hebron, the Al-Baidar Organization said in a statement on Saturday.

The rights group said a settlement outpost near the village of Umm Safa, northwest of Ramallah, which was established about two months ago, has developed into a permanent site.

It reported rapid construction and preparations at the site, warning that the outpost could expand onto more Palestinian land.

According to the group, illegal settlers living at the site have displayed extremist behavior toward Palestinians. The pace of construction, it added, “was creating new conditions on the ground and threatening residents’ land and property.”

The far-right cabinet of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been encouraging the establishment and expansion of illegal settlement outposts across the occupied West Bank, amid growing political pressure ahead of elections next month.

Witnesses have described Israeli forces, which are responsible for security in the occupied West Bank, as standing by during attempts to force Palestinian families from their homes.

UN names 61 more companies linked to Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory

The UN human rights office updated a list on Friday adding 61 more companies related to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.

About 750,000 occupiers live in 156 illegal settlements and 360 outposts across the occupied West Bank, including East al-Quds, according to Palestinian figures.

The Palestinian government’s Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission recorded 628 occupier attacks in August.

Israeli military and occupier attacks in the West Bank have intensified since the regime’s genocidal war on Gaza began in October 2023.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned this week that the violence and settlement expansion have raised the “spectre of ethnic cleansing” and further eroded prospects for a two-state solution.

Earlier this month, 12 countries, led by the UK and including France and Canada, banned imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank in response to continued settlement expansion.