Israeli settlers wield growing power across occupied West Bank

Several soldiers and commanders who served in the occupied West Bank told Haaretz that the distinction between regular military forces and settler-led defense units has become increasingly difficult to maintain. Although the units formally operate under army command, personnel interviewed by the newspaper said settlers can exert significant influence over events in the field.One reserve officer, identified as G., described an incident in the South Hebron Hills in 2024 involving settlers from a nearby outpost. According to his account, the group repeatedly entered Palestinian homes in surrounding villages. When he ordered them to leave one property following a reported attack, a dog was allegedly released toward him.

Commander accused of appeasing settlers

The officer said a man accompanying the settlers identified himself as a member of a regional defense battalion and as the owner of the nearby outpost. He allegedly threatened to accuse the officer of sexual harassment if a complaint was submitted to senior commanders.

Despite the officer saying that his camera had recorded the confrontation, he claimed he received little support after reporting the incident. According to his testimony, the brigade commander contacted the settler in an effort to calm the situation rather than addressing the officer’s complaint directly.

A subsequent meeting organized by battalion commanders reportedly sought to reconcile the parties, while the activities of regional defense personnel were described as “important.” The officer said he ultimately chose not to pursue a formal complaint after receiving what he regarded as insufficient backing from his commanders.

Military and settler roles increasingly overlap

Other soldiers and commanders who served in the West Bank after October 2023 gave similar accounts to Haaretz. Two of those interviewed also provided testimony to Breaking the Silence, an Israeli organization established by former combat soldiers.

Their accounts suggest that regular army units responsible for settler defense sometimes find themselves unable or unwilling to impose restrictions on the conduct of regional defense personnel. Soldiers who attempt to enforce military orders can face confrontations, threats or physical aggression, according to the testimonies.

West Bank missions face competing priorities

A reserve commander identified as D. questioned the practical purpose of his unit’s deployment in Hebron, saying his forces made only about two arrests linked to alleged Hamas affiliations during the entire assignment. He said much of the unit’s time was instead consumed by incidents involving settlers seeking confrontations.

Another soldier who served around the Gush Etzion settlement bloc said members of settler defense units often arrived at incidents before regular army forces without communicating their movements through military radio channels. Rather than separating those involved, the soldier said, the units sometimes became part of the confrontation.

Thousands recruited since Gaza war began

Haaretz reported that approximately 5,500 West Bank settlers have been incorporated into regional defense formations as reservists since the Gaza war began in October 2023. The units operate within illegal settlements and in areas surrounding Palestinian villages.

According to the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, settlers have carried out around 12,500 attacks across the occupied West Bank during the same period. Palestinian authorities say those incidents resulted in 82 deaths, approximately 890 fires and the establishment of 200 illegal settlement outposts.

Palestinian casualties continue to rise

Official Palestinian figures cited in the report say Israeli military forces and settlers have killed more than 1,182 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 2023. Around 13,000 others have reportedly been injured, while approximately 24,600 Palestinians have been arrested during the same period.