The Israeli army said on Monday it is introducing a new technological monitoring system to enforce movement restrictions in the occupied West Bank for both Israelis and Palestinians, a step Israeli media reports is aimed at curbing a recent surge in settler violence.
In a statement, the military said the decision would allow security forces “to install a technological monitoring device on individuals subject to an administrative order restricting their movement within the West Bank.” The army did not specify what type of device would be used, how it would function, or how long individuals would be monitored.
Israeli media reports said the system is intended in part to strengthen enforcement against violent Israeli settlers, whose attacks on Palestinian communities have increased sharply in recent months. Critics have long argued that restrictions on movement are unevenly applied, with Palestinians more frequently subjected to checkpoints, closures, and administrative orders.
The military said the new system would apply to anyone placed under a movement restriction order, regardless of nationality. However, rights groups expressed concern that the technology could further expand surveillance in the West Bank, where Palestinians already face extensive monitoring and limitations on daily movement.
Administrative movement restrictions are imposed by military authorities without a criminal trial, often based on classified intelligence. Human rights organisations have repeatedly criticised their use, saying they raise serious due process concerns and disproportionately affect Palestinians.
Israeli officials have framed the new system as a security measure designed to improve enforcement efficiency and reduce the need for physical checkpoints or constant troop deployment. Supporters argue that technological monitoring could help prevent violence and ease tensions by targeting specific individuals rather than imposing broad restrictions.
However, civil liberties advocates warn that expanding surveillance tools risks normalising intrusive monitoring without adequate oversight or transparency. They are calling for clearer guidelines on who will be monitored, what data will be collected, and how long restrictions will remain in place.
For residents of the West Bank, the impact of the new system remains uncertain. While authorities say it is meant to address security concerns, many fear it could deepen existing restrictions on movement in a region already marked by longstanding conflict and mistrust.
