An Al Jazeera investigation has exposed the unsettling overlap between Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank, highlighting how this ambiguity enables systematic violence, land seizures, and mass displacement. The blurred lines often allow settlers, who carry out violent attacks in civilian clothing, to return wearing military uniforms and enforcing orders on Palestinian victims. This duality was evident in the village of Tal, where Yitzhak Levi Filant, a local settler known as "Yaqoub", was documented assaulting farmers in civilian clothes, only to return later dressed as a soldier issuing orders. The investigation also uncovered incidents in Hebron, such as the shooting of Amir Shanaran by a settler named Nahman, who summoned reinforcements and was joined by other settlers in military uniforms. These coordinated attacks have escalated since October 2023, with Israeli forces carrying out aggressive operations in the West Bank, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 Palestinians by individuals serving in the army or wearing military uniforms. This integration of soldiers and settlers is supported structurally by the Israeli military's Regional Defence battalions, known as Hagmar, which have expanded significantly since 2023, shifting their focus from guarding settlements to backing settler operations. The investigation raises concerns about the fundamental change in the mission of these battalions, which were originally armed for the colonial settlement project in the West Bank.
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The Al Jazeera investigation also delves into the connection between Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the flow of weapons from official military service to settlers. The investigation reveals that this collaboration has led to an increasing number of commanders who are settlers themselves, a trend observed by journalist Gideon Levy. This integration raises questions about the role of the Israeli army in the West Bank, with some experts suggesting that it serves as a tool for colonial settlement and geographical expansion at the expense of Palestinian lands and rights. The investigation underscores the need for international scrutiny and action to address these human rights concerns in the occupied West Bank.
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The incidents documented by Al Jazeera are consistent with evidence presented by Palestinian communities, international and Israeli human rights groups, activists, and journalists, pointing to institutional Israeli backing for settlers who have attacked, burned, and taken over entire villages. The investigation's findings provide further evidence of the complicity of the Israeli military in these actions, blurring the lines between violent attackers and security forces that Israel claims uphold the law. The duality of soldiers and settlers in the West Bank is a daily reality for many Palestinians, as evidenced by Abbas Melhem, director of the Palestinian Farmers Union, who stated, "The army in the West Bank and the settlers are two sides of the same coin, and they serve the same goal planned and implemented by the Israeli government through this system." The investigation serves as a call to action for international bodies to address these human rights violations and hold those responsible accountable.