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History & geography

Area C

Area C is the designation given under the 1995 Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement (Oslo II) to roughly 60 percent of the West Bank where Israel retains full civil and security control.

Why it matters

It contains most Israeli settlements, military bases, access roads and open land, and is essential for any contiguous Palestinian state.

Key context

Under Oslo II, Area C was envisioned to be gradually transferred to Palestinian jurisdiction, but transfers were halted. Construction permits for Palestinians in Area C remain virtually impossible to obtain.

Sources