Khaberni - An investigation by the British newspaper Guardian reported that the forces of the Israeli occupying army have become a umbrella used by violent settlers to escalate their campaign against the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
The paper cited reserve soldiers and Israeli activists stating that settler units—known as "Hagmar" regional defense units—have escalated violent displacement against Palestinians since October 2023.
Guardian stated that reserve units from the settlements operate as vigilante militias, according to soldiers, Israeli activists, and the United Nations.
According to the newspaper, since October 2023, the operation of the "Hagmar" units has been expanded, concurrent with the redeployment of regular army forces to the Gaza Strip.
These units include thousands of settlers who have been granted weapons and security powers to operate within the settlements and surrounding areas, with limited oversight on the use of force. The state pays these units' salaries, but they essentially operate alongside regular battalions.
Militias do as they please
The paper quoted a reserve soldier—who preferred to remain anonymous—saying, "Hagmar units are armed militias that do whatever they want."
He explained that they are "officially under the command of the battalion commander and his deputy, but on the ground, they are given absolute freedom," and added that "the high command turns a blind eye when incidents occur. They don’t respond to any orders."
The investigation cited reserve soldiers who served in the West Bank as saying that these unit members operate with extensive independence, often arriving at conflict sites before regular forces and in some cases engaging in acts of violence against Palestinians.
The soldiers added that they witnessed incidents of home and agricultural land vandalism, livestock theft, intimidation, and reckless use of weapons.
Guardian's investigation pointed out accusations against elements from these units involving more serious incidents, including the killing of an elderly Palestinian man last year and running over another Palestinian with an off-road vehicle.
The paper quoted the organization "Breaking the Silence," which includes former Israeli soldiers, stating that the "Hagmar" system has led to the "integration of the violent settler ideology inside the Israeli army itself," granting them full military powers to execute it.
Impunity persists
In contrast, the Israeli occupying forces told Guardian that only "a few incidents" did not rise to the expected standards of reserve soldiers in regional defense units, confirming that some individuals were dismissed and criminal investigations opened in other cases.
However, Israeli and Palestinian human rights organizations see - according to the investigation - that accountability remains limited.
According to data presented by the investigation quoting the United Nations, attacks by settlers have led to the complete displacement of 29 Palestinian communities since October 2023, compared to the displacement of only 4 communities in 2022 and the first nine months of 2023.
The United Nations also warned that the phenomenon of "settlers/soldiers" contributes to blurring the line between state violence and settler violence, and enhances impunity.
Guardian concluded its investigation with the finding that the post-October 7, 2023 period marked a structural shift in the West Bank, where settlers and the Israeli army now operate as a single system on the ground, which has reflected in an unprecedented escalation of violence and forced displacements against Palestinians.
