Settlement activity in the Tarousa area near Dura

Israel’s Security Cabinet on December 21, 2025 approved the establishment and legalization of 19 Jewish communities across Judea and Samaria, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich noted on X. Including a new colony in the Dura area, named “Nahal Doron,”.

Bezalel Smotrich added that this policy thwarts the establishment of a “Palestinian terror state,” as Israelis continue “to develop, build and settle in the land of our forefathers out of faith in our righteousness.”

The government’s 11-member ministerial committee approved the establishment and recognition of Allenby (an interim name), Esh Kodesh, Ganim, Givat Harel, Har Bezek, Kadim, Kida, Kochav Hashachar-North, Mishol, Nahal Doron, Nof Gilad, P’nei Kedem, Reihanit, Rosh Ha’ayin-East, Shalem, Tammun, Ya’ar El Keren, Yatziv and Yitav-West.

On December 21, 2025, illegal paramilitary Israeli settlers, accompanied by Israeli far‑right “Minister of Settlements” Orit Strock, invaded the Tarousa Jabal. The group erected a menorah and performed religious rituals under full military deployment, after soldiers surrounded the area and prevented Palestinians from entering. Israeli occupation forces forced shop owners in Deir Samet to close their businesses, while soldiers deployed heavily along the road leading to the area. Troops also closed the main road connecting Dura with the western villages for more than two hours, preventing Palestinians from using the route and severely disrupting movement.

On Januray and february 2026, the Israeli patrols regularly stormed the Tarousa area.

On June 15, 2026, armed settlers, protected by Israeli forces, entered the area, erected a tent, and placed a sign announcing a new settlement called “Doron.” Palestinians from the area protested the new outpost and were violently suppressed by the Israeli army, who protected the settlers.

On June 16, 2026, around 10:40, a group of settlers set up in the Tarusa area of the town of Deir Samet, in an attempt to establish a settlement outpost. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, alongside ministers and colonist leaders, visited the site for a foundation stone ceremony for the planned settlement, which is intended to be built on Palestinian land. “Doron” is among 19 new settlements approved by the Israeli government in the West Bank last year as part of broader settlement expansion plans. During his visit, Smotrich also announced additional measures aimed at facilitating land seizure and settlement control in the Hebron Governorate. He declared the cancellation of the Hebron Agreement signed with the Palestinian Authority in 1994, which means withdrawing the Hebron Municipality's authority from several areas of the city. The Masalmeh family has stated that the mountain, which covers 2,200 dunams, belongs to them and that they obtained a court order from Israeli courts prohibiting settlers from the site since 2007.

On June 17, 2026, Israeli forces began excavation and bulldozing works on Palestinian-owned lands in the Mount Tarousa area, west of Dura in the Hebron Governorate, in preparation for establishing a new settlement. Israeli forces, accompanied by settlers, carried out the land works, while trucks had already transported caravans, water tanks, and other equipment to the site.