The Israeli Land Authority has announced a tender for the construction of 627 new housing units in the Kochav Yaakov settlement, located in the occupied West Bank. This project, set to be completed within the Ramallah and al-Bireh governorate, is scheduled to commence by November 30, as stated in the tender published on Thursday. The expansion of Kochav Yaakov, which sits between northern Jerusalem and the twin cities of Ramallah and el-Bireh, aims to further isolate Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings, according to the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission (CRRC). The new project covers approximately 25.37 hectares and was approved by Israeli authorities on April 27, 2025. This tender marks a significant step forward in the construction process, transitioning from planning to marketing and implementation stages. The expansion of Kochav Yaakov is expected to increase its built-up area and enhance its connections with nearby settlements and access roads. The Israeli government's decision to proceed with this project is part of a series of measures aimed at reinforcing its illegal control over the Palestinian region, as highlighted by the CRRC. So far in 2026, Israeli authorities have issued 12 illegal settlement tenders, including 1,138 housing units and separate waves of tenders for industrial zones, offices, nursing homes, and tourism facilities. The escalation of illegal settlement expansion and settler violence across the occupied West Bank has resulted in over 11,000 attacks on Palestinians since January 2026, according to Palestinian monitors. International bodies, including the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have repeatedly condemned these Israeli settlements as having "no legal validity" and constituting a "flagrant violation" of international law. The 2024 International Court of Justice advisory opinion also deemed Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian territory unlawful.