In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the 500,000 Jewish settlers on the West Bank find themselves at the center of a growing storm of violence and controversy. Motivated by various reasons such as religious beliefs and lower cost of living, these settlers have seen their population surge by 16% in the last five years alone. However, their actions have been under scrutiny, with Israeli human rights groups accusing them of exploiting the conflict to pursue their own agenda and force Palestinians out of their homes.

The settlements, once seen as pioneering enclaves, have evolved into well-established and affluent communities. With security guards stationed at the entrance and fences topped with cameras and barbed wire, they exude an air of comfort and safety. However, these settlements have become a source of tension, as Palestinians claim they face violence and intimidation from armed settlers, who allegedly break into their homes, assault them, and destroy their belongings. The recent case of Zanuta, a village where intense settler violence forced its Palestinian residents to leave, brings to light the extent of the problem at hand.

In response to the escalating situation, France has condemned the "policy of terror" and called on Israeli authorities to protect Palestinians from "violence which has the clear objective of forced displacement". Even President Biden, known for his staunch support of Israel, labeled the attacks by "extremist settlers" as "pouring gasoline" on the already burning fires in the Middle East.

Spokespeople for the settlers, however, deny any campaign to displace Palestinians. Naomi Kahn from Regavim stated that the former residents of Zanuta were "squatters" who were paid by the European Union (EU) to live in the village and had simply left when the payments ceased. The settlers argue that they are justified in their actions and feel a deep connection to the land, citing their biblical, historical, and moral rights to maintain their presence on the West Bank.

Despite these claims, critics accuse the settlers of racism and argue that their actions exacerbate tensions in the region. Some settlers feel that they are on the frontline of the war and view themselves as defenders against what they perceive as an Arab agenda. Yochai Damari, the leader of the Har Hevron regional council, expressed a desire to "destroy Hamas" and what he claimed was a similar agenda among the Arabs in the region.

The consequences of this conflict are devastating, with Gaza health authorities reporting over 11,500 confirmed deaths in the Israeli bombardment and ground invasion, including over 4,700 children. At least a million people have been displaced as a result. The United Nations (UN) reports that from 2008 to September 2021, a total of 138 Israelis and 1,012 Palestinians have been killed on the West Bank.

As tensions continue to rise, there are calls for action to address the violence and find a lasting solution. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has acknowledged the issue, attributing the violence to a small group among the settlers who take the law into their own hands. The international community closely watches the situation, hoping for a resolution that ensures the safety and well-being of both Israelis and Palestinians in the region.