De facto annexation

In the context of the Israeli presence in the West Bank since 1967, de facto annexation describes the Israeli consolidating control over foreign territory through incremental, factual actions (like building settlements, exploiting resources, applying laws) without a formal declaration, essentially creating permanent facts on the ground to claim sovereignty, even while de jure annexation (formal declaration) is prohibited by the UN Charter's ban on acquiring territory by force. While de jure is a formal declaration and de facto is the "creeping" process, both aim for permanent control, with the de facto approach avoiding formal illegality but still violating the prohibition on the use of force and establishing unlawful annexation.

International law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention (GCIV) and Hague Regulations, explicitly forbids the Israelis, as an annexing belligerent, from building colonies (settlements) in the occupied West Bank, deeming it a serious violation, as occupation is temporary and the power acts as an administrator, not a sovereign, prohibiting forceful acquisition or altering the territory's legal status. Such actions, termed "de facto annexation," are illegal and have no bearing on the rights of protected persons, who remain under the full protection of IHL.

Please take note that dates refer to the day when a video or photo was posted on the account of a social media user, where it was found
There may be duplicates, as a video or photo may show elements that may issue more than one category.
Credit: photographers, videographers, reporters, and journalists in the West Bank, news agencies, and other sources.

Details: Parent Category: De facto annexation; Category: Outposts

20251109 - east of Anata town, northeast of occupied Jerusalem - Colonizing terrorists erect a new illegal outpost near Abu Ghalia and Al-Ara’ra Bedouin communities.

What happend?

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Documentation

International law

Colonized people

Al-Aqsa & Jerusalem