TEKOA, West Bank - The ongoing conflict in Gaza has overshadowed a disturbing surge of violence by extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Reports from NBC News indicate that these attacks, encouraged by Israel's security forces and hard-right government, have resulted in an alarming number of Palestinian deaths and displacement.

According to the United Nations, human rights groups, and local sources, the violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has intensified since October 7. Despite the international focus on the conflict in Gaza, watchdogs argue that this wave of violence has been enabled by Israel's security forces and the government's support for the settlers, including providing them with firearms and military equipment.

One tragic example of this violence is the killing of Eisa Jebril, a 27-year-old engineer, near the village of Tekoa. Jebril's family alleges that he was shot in the head by an Israeli settler dressed as a soldier. His brother, Murad, recalls the heartbreaking moment when he carried Eisa's lifeless body, stating that after years of living with tension, he can distinguish between Israeli settlers and military personnel.

Despite the harrowing incident, there has been no official confirmation of who killed Eisa. However, watchdogs have noted an increase in settlers wearing military uniforms when carrying out attacks against Palestinians. The United Nations highlighted the close association between settlers and Israeli forces, leading to "near total impunity" for settlers and a lack of accountability for their actions.

The violence perpetrated by settlers has had dire consequences for Palestinian communities. The U.N. reports that at least 132 Palestinians, including 41 children, have been killed by security forces and settlers in the past three weeks alone. Furthermore, this surge of violence has displaced approximately 15 Palestinian herder communities, comprising nearly 1,000 people, with over 300 of them being children. The settlers' actions have further restricted Palestinian freedom of movement, depriving them of basic rights and hindering their ability to work on their farms and groves, especially during the olive-picking season.

The issue of settlements has long been a matter of contention, as they are considered illegal under international law. Settlements have grown to house around 500,000 Jewish residents, while the Palestinian population in the West Bank stands at approximately 3.2 million. The international community has consistently criticized successive Israeli governments for the expansion of settlements, viewing them as an obstacle to peace.

Last year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-right coalition appointed pro-settler figures to influential positions and even suggested formal annexation of parts of the West Bank. The situation worsened after October 7 when National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced the distribution of 10,000 rifles and military gear to civilians in the West Bank and other volatile areas, regardless of their military status.

The United States, Israel's strongest ally, has also expressed concern over the escalating violence. President Joe Biden denounced the "extremist settlers" and called for accountability. Furthermore, the State Department described the violence in the West Bank as "incredibly destabilizing" and warned of the potential for a third front in the conflict, in addition to Gaza and the Lebanon border.

The Jebril family, like many other Palestinians affected by the violence, assert that they are not militants but farmers. They emphasize that their lives have been filled with ongoing trauma, with family members experiencing multiple detentions without charge or trial. The grief in their household serves as a painful reminder of the ongoing cycle of violence and loss that plagues the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank.

As tensions continue to escalate, the international community and human rights advocates are urging for an end to the violence and for those responsible to be held accountable. The situation not only threatens the safety and well-being of Palestinians but also poses a significant obstacle to the prospects of a peaceful resolution in the region.