Quds governorate: Israeli enemy authorities have initiated the actual implementation of the "E1" settlement plan east of Jerusalem, marking a significant step in settlement expansion and the isolation of the city from its Palestinian surroundings. According to Yemen News Agency, the Quds Governorate reported that a tender for the construction of 1,234 settlement units in the southern part of the "E1" plan was issued, with a submission deadline set for October 19.
The governorate's statement, as reported by the Palestinian "Sund" news agency, highlighted that the issuance of the tender signifies a shift from planning and approval to the land marketing phase, preparing for on-ground implementation. This move paves the way for a new settlement bloc between Quds and the "Ma'ale Adumim" settlement.
The statement further explained that in 2025, two housing plans within the "E1" area were approved, encompassing approximately 3,401 settlement units. This is part of a broader effort to expand settlement presence east of Jerusalem and link these settlements to the city.
The governorate emphasized that the plan's implications extend beyond urban expansion, as the location serves as a critical geographical link between Quds, the central West Bank, and the Jordan Valley region. This link could reshape the region's geography, affecting Palestinian connectivity.
The implementation of the "E1" plan coincides with the development of a network of roads and infrastructure designed to serve the settlements. These developments include imposing alternative routes on Palestinian movement, notably the "Fabric of Life" road connecting Al-Za'ayyem and Al-Eizariya, further isolating Quds from its Palestinian surroundings and reorganizing population movement to favor settlement expansion.
The Quds Governorate warned that the plan would deepen the city's isolation from the West Bank and increase pressure on nearby Palestinian and Bedouin communities, exacerbating issues such as home demolitions, restrictions on construction, and access to land in areas including Al-Issawiya, Anata, Al-Za'ayyem, Al-Eizariya, Khan Al-Ahmar, Jabal Al-Baba, and Wadi Al-Jimal.
The "E1" project, approved in August 2025, has raised concerns among Palestinian authorities, who argue that its implementation threatens the geographic cohesion of the West Bank, jeopardizes connectivity between Palestinian cities and communities, and entrenches Jerusalem's isolation from its Palestinian surroundings.