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Settler-only IDF units in West Bank described as vigilante militias
Summary
Israeli reservists, activists and the UN say settler-only 'hagmar' regional defence units were armed and deployed across the occupied West Bank from October 2023 and have at times operated with limited oversight. The Israeli military says some incidents have been investigated and some reservists removed.
Content
Regional defence units known as hagmar, composed largely of settlers, were mobilised across the occupied West Bank from October 2023 as the army focused forces elsewhere. Israeli reservists, activists and a United Nations report say these units were given weapons and local authority and that their on-the-ground role has blurred the line between state forces and settler groups. The Israeli military has acknowledged incidents that did not meet expected standards, and says some reservists have been removed and investigations opened. Reported reductions in hagmar numbers followed the initial mobilisation, but hundreds of such reservists are still reported to be deployed in the West Bank.
Key facts:
- The hagmar system expanded from October 2023 and placed armed settler reservists in local defence roles.
- Former Israeli reservists and activists report these units have sometimes operated with limited oversight and been involved in violent or serious incidents.
- The Israeli military says a number of incidents have been investigated and some reservists removed, while asserting most regional defence reservists meet expected standards.
- Reporting cited UN data that displacement of Palestinian communities increased after October 2023 compared with the period before.
Summary:
Reporting and independent bodies say the deployment of settler-based regional defence units has changed operational relations between settlers and the Israeli military and affected security dynamics for Palestinian communities. The military has reported investigations and reductions in some hagmar deployments, but the outcomes of inquiries and next procedural steps are undetermined at this time.
