Understanding the West Bank: Geography, Control, and Key Issues

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The West Bank is a landlocked territory located between Israel and Jordan, bordered by the Jordan River to the east and the Dead Sea to the southeast. It is a significant area in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has been under various forms of control since the mid-20th century.

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Geographical and Historical Context

The West Bank covers an area of approximately 5,655 square kilometers and is home to about three million Palestinians and around 500,000 Israeli settlers. The territory has been a focal point of conflict since the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, during which hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes, with many taking refuge in the West Bank. Jordan occupied and annexed the West Bank after the war, but Israel captured it during the 1967 Six-Day War.

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Political Control

The West Bank is divided into three administrative areas under the Oslo Accords:

Area A: This area constitutes about 18% of the West Bank and is under full Palestinian control, including civil and security matters. It includes most of the major Palestinian cities and is the most densely populated area.

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Area B: This area makes up about 22% of the West Bank and is under Palestinian civil control but shared security control with Israel. It includes many villages and rural areas.

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Area C: This area covers over 60% of the West Bank and is under full Israeli control, including civil and security matters. It includes most of the Israeli settlements and is home to around 300,000 Palestinians.

Current Control and Governance

Israeli Control: Israel retains significant control over the West Bank, particularly in Area C, where it has established numerous settlements. These settlements are considered illegal under international law, but Israel disputes this, arguing that the land was not part of a sovereign state before 1967.

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Palestinian Authority (PA): The PA exercises varying degrees of control in Areas A and B. However, its ability to implement policy decisions is limited by direct Israeli military control over much of the territory.

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Hamas and Fatah: The political landscape is further complicated by the split between Fatah, which controls the PA in the West Bank, and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. This division has led to internal Palestinian conflicts and weakened the overall governance structure.

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Key Issues

Settlements: Israeli settlements in the West Bank are a major point of contention. They are seen as a significant obstacle to peace and a two-state solution. The settlements are often built on land that Palestinians claim for their future state.

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Security and Violence: The West Bank has seen ongoing violence, including settler attacks on Palestinians and military operations by Israeli forces. This has led to significant casualties and displacement among Palestinians.

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Water Control: Israel controls about 80% of the water reserves in the West Bank, which has led to severe water stress for Palestinians. Israeli settlers use significantly more water than Palestinians, exacerbating the issue.

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International Perspective

The international community largely views the Israeli settlements as illegal and a violation of international law. Various international bodies, including the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, have called for the cessation of settlement activities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied territories.

In summary, the West Bank is a territory with a complex history and ongoing conflict. It is divided into areas with different levels of control by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, with significant issues related to settlements, security, and resource management.

Understanding the West Bank: Geography, Control, and Key Issues

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Geographical and Historical Context

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Political Control

The West Bank is divided into three administrative areas under the Oslo Accords:

Area A: This area constitutes about 18% of the West Bank and is under full Palestinian control, including civil and security matters. It includes most of the major Palestinian cities and is the most densely populated area.

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Area B: This area makes up about 22% of the West Bank and is under Palestinian civil control but shared security control with Israel. It includes many villages and rural areas.

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Area C: This area covers over 60% of the West Bank and is under full Israeli control, including civil and security matters. It includes most of the Israeli settlements and is home to around 300,000 Palestinians.

Current Control and Governance

Israeli Control: Israel retains significant control over the West Bank, particularly in Area C, where it has established numerous settlements. These settlements are considered illegal under international law, but Israel disputes this, arguing that the land was not part of a sovereign state before 1967.

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Palestinian Authority (PA): The PA exercises varying degrees of control in Areas A and B. However, its ability to implement policy decisions is limited by direct Israeli military control over much of the territory.

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Hamas and Fatah: The political landscape is further complicated by the split between Fatah, which controls the PA in the West Bank, and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. This division has led to internal Palestinian conflicts and weakened the overall governance structure.

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Key Issues

Settlements: Israeli settlements in the West Bank are a major point of contention. They are seen as a significant obstacle to peace and a two-state solution. The settlements are often built on land that Palestinians claim for their future state.

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Security and Violence: The West Bank has seen ongoing violence, including settler attacks on Palestinians and military operations by Israeli forces. This has led to significant casualties and displacement among Palestinians.

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Water Control: Israel controls about 80% of the water reserves in the West Bank, which has led to severe water stress for Palestinians. Israeli settlers use significantly more water than Palestinians, exacerbating the issue.

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