Al Jazeera – All News has highlighted a group of Israeli women identified as the “Hilltop Girls,” who are reportedly playing a central role in what the outlet calls Israel’s “soft settlement” strategy in the occupied West Bank. The report says the women coordinate activities that aim to increase the civilian footprint of settlements without relying on overtly confrontational or militarised measures.

According to the Al Jazeera article, the “soft settlement” approach emphasizes the development of infrastructure, provision of social services, and community‑building initiatives that make outposts appear as ordinary residential neighbourhoods. The “Hilltop Girls” are described as organising fundraising, managing construction projects, and using social‑media platforms to publicise their work, thereby normalising the presence of settlements in contested areas.

The outlet notes that Israeli authorities have increasingly endorsed this softer methodology as a way to sidestep international criticism while still expanding control over disputed territories. By focusing on civilian development rather than security‑driven expansion, the strategy seeks to embed settlements more deeply into the local landscape, making future political negotiations more complex.

Al Jazeera points out that the involvement of women in these activities marks a shift from the traditionally male‑dominated settlement movement. The report suggests that the “Hilltop Girls” leverage networks of diaspora donors and domestic supporters to finance housing projects, schools, and health clinics within outposts that lack official recognition.

The article does not provide specific numbers on the scale of the projects but indicates that the model is being replicated across several settlement blocs. It also mentions that Palestinian authorities and international observers have expressed concern that the soft‑settlement tactic could further entrench Israeli presence and undermine prospects for a two‑state solution.

Overall, Al Jazeera’s coverage frames the “Hilltop Girls” as a key element in a broader policy shift, where settlement expansion is pursued through civilian, community‑oriented means rather than overt security operations.

Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Al Jazeera — All News — original source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/3/who-are-the-hilltop-girls-behind-israels-soft-settlement-strategy?traffic_source=rss.