An Al Jazeera investigation has uncovered a disturbing overlap between Israeli soldiers and West Bank settlers, revealing a system that enables systematic violence, land seizures, and mass displacement. The blurred lines between the two groups have been highlighted in various incidents captured in the investigation, which bolster evidence presented by Palestinian communities, human rights groups, activists, and journalists suggesting institutional Israeli backing for settler attacks.
In one particular case, Yitzhak Levi Filant, a settler from Yitzhar known locally as “Yaqoub,” was identified through facial matching and local testimonies as assaulting farmers in civilian clothing before returning to the same village wearing a military uniform, carrying a military-issued weapon, and issuing orders to residents. This duality is a daily reality for Palestinian farmers, with settlers often taking on both violent attacker and security enforcer roles.
The investigation also documented deadlier manifestations of this overlap in Hebron, where a settler named Nahman encroached on Palestinian land and summoned reinforcements, leading to the shooting and killing of Amir Shanaran, a resident, and the severe wounding of his cousin. The attack was facilitated by off-road vehicles and soldiers who opened fire, with one individual, Luria Luski, reportedly appearing in military uniform in other footage.
The Israeli military's Regional Defence battalions, known as Hagmar, have expanded significantly since 2023 and have shifted their core function from guarding settlements to backing settler operations. This coordination is structurally supported by the Israeli military, with the deputy commander in Hebron acknowledging that most Hagmar members are settlers serving in the reserves. The force's mission has fundamentally changed, with it now acting as a tool for geographical expansion and Palestinian land seizure.
The investigation reveals a deliberate integration of settlers into the Israeli army, with an increasing number of commanders being settlers themselves. This integration raises concerns about the impartiality of the Israeli military in the West Bank and the potential for further violence and displacement against Palestinian communities.