Hebron: Israel has unilaterally annulled the Hebron Agreement of 1997, a pivotal component of the Oslo Accords, concerning the city of Hebron and the Al-Ibrahimi Mosque. The move, announced by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, transfers planning and construction authority from the Palestinian Authority to Israeli control, sparking allegations of violating international agreements.
According to Qatar News Agency, the annulment marks a significant shift in Israel's approach to the West Bank, with Smotrich framing the decision as a strategic move to strengthen Israeli administrative control and settlement expansion. The Hebron Agreement, signed in 1997 by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, divided Hebron into H1 and H2 zones to manage conflicts in the sensitive region.
The cancellation undermines the original arrangement, which allowed Palestinian civil authorities to oversee planning and construction in Hebron's H2 zone. Analysts warn that this decision reflects a broader strategy to assert Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, challenging the Oslo framework and potentially escalating legal confrontations.
Palestinian analysts argue that the move exacerbates humanitarian issues and strips Palestinian authorities of their ability to implement infrastructure projects in Hebron. They view it as part of a long-standing campaign to undermine the Palestinian political entity and thwart any viable two-state solution.
The Palestinian presidency condemned the move as a violation of international legitimacy, calling for U.S. intervention to address the legal and historical implications. Hebron Municipality and other local bodies have also denounced the decision, viewing it as an infringement on Palestinian rights and historical presence.
Despite international sponsorship, the annulment of the Hebron Agreement is seen as part of Israel's broader agenda to solidify control over the West Bank. This includes recent decisions by Israeli authorities to alter legal and civil realities in the region, aiming to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state as outlined in UN resolutions.
In response to growing criticism, the Israeli Foreign Ministry denied the complete annulment of the Hebron Agreement, stating that changes were limited to heritage sites due to alleged lack of cooperation from Palestinian authorities. However, this has done little to quell international and local discontent over Israel's actions in Hebron.