Israel's secret mapping unit redraws boundaries to seize Palestinian land in West Bank

A little-known Israeli government mapping unit, referred to as the 'Blue Line' team, has been systematically redrawing land boundaries in the West Bank in a process that is effectively transferring Palestinian land into Israeli control. The operation has drawn renewed international attention amid mounting concern over the accelerating pace of illegal settlement activity in the occupied territory.

The boundary-redrawing effort runs alongside a broader expansion of Israeli settlements, which the international community widely regards as illegal under international law. Palestinians say the mapping activities compound the damage already being inflicted on their communities by encroaching settler infrastructure.

The United Nations has separately expanded its database of companies involved in illegal Israeli settlement activities, adding 61 firms to bring the total to 214 businesses operating across 11 countries. The majority of those listed are Israeli. The expanded list signals growing international efforts to document and hold accountable those with commercial ties to settlement construction in occupied Palestinian territory.