Settlement History: First Caravans Placed in Sa-Nur

Caravans were placed Tuesday at the former settlement of Sa-Nur in the northern West Bank, marking a further step toward reestablishing the community nearly two decades after it was evacuated during Israel’s 2005 disengagement.

The move was carried out by the Samaria Regional Council together with the Amana settlement movement, following a government decision earlier this year to approve the settlement’s return. The plan includes construction of 126 housing units, which was authorized by the Higher Planning Council several months ago.

Despite the placement of caravans, residents are not yet permitted to live on the site permanently. Israeli security forces are continuing preparations in the area, including infrastructure work and the development of a bypass road intended to allow safer access that avoids nearby Palestinian population centers.

Local officials said the caravans are part of the initial phase ahead of the expected return of families who were evacuated from Sa-Nur in 2005, as well as new residents. A previous plan to return during the Purim holiday was delayed due to the ongoing war.

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, who was himself evacuated from Sa-Nur, described the move as a significant step toward restoring the community.

The effort is being led in coordination with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also holds a role in the Defense Ministry, working alongside Defense Minister Israel Katz on broader settlement policy in the West Bank.

Sa-Nur is one of several northern West Bank settlements evacuated during the disengagement. In recent years, the Israeli government has taken steps to reverse aspects of that policy, including approving the return of previously dismantled communities such as Homesh, as well as plans for Ganim and Kadim.

The latest development reflects a broader shift in Israeli policy in the area, as authorities move to formalize and expand settlement activity despite ongoing regional conflict.