The order, which is set to be announced on Thursday, imposes sanctions on several individuals accused of directly perpetrating acts of violence and intimidation.

The executive order focuses on four individuals who have been accused of instigating and leading riots, setting buildings and vehicles on fire, assaulting civilians, and causing damage to property in the West Bank. The targeted individuals are David Chai Chasdai, Einan Tanjil, Shalom Zicherman, and Yinon Levi.

Upon discovering evidence of their involvement in the violence through public reporting and other sources, the State Department decided to block their financial assets and deny them entry into the United States. These measures are part of an effort to hold accountable those responsible for the escalating violence in the region.

The White House informed the Israeli government of its plans ahead of the executive order, indicating a commitment to transparency and cooperation. While the exact dates of the committed acts are unspecified, the evidence presented by the State Department is said to be strong enough to withstand judicial review.

Notably, the executive order does not target Israeli government officials for sanctions, as emphasized by National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby. President Biden has previously condemned the acts of violence in the West Bank and has personally discussed the issue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent months.

The sanctions imposed on the violent Israeli settlers come as President Biden faces criticism from within his political coalition for supporting Israel during its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Although this executive order does not address the situation in Gaza, it serves as a significant step by the Biden administration to critique Israel since the conflict began in October.

This move by President Biden could also be seen as a gesture towards Muslim and Arab-American voters who have expressed disappointment with the administration's refusal to call for a ceasefire. It is important to note that back in December, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a policy that prevents extremist Israeli settlers engaged in violence from entering the United States.

Settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has long been a controversial issue fuelling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The violence intensified after the October 7 attack by Hamas, which triggered fears among Palestinians of retaliatory attacks. Dozens of Palestinians were killed as settler violence escalated in the weeks following the attack.

With an estimated 700,000 Israeli settlers residing in the West Bank, it remains unclear which specific acts the individuals targeted by the executive order participated in. However, President Biden has consistently raised concerns about settler violence in his diplomatic conversations with Israeli leaders.

President Biden emphasized the need for peace, security, and dignity for both the Israeli and Palestinian people during his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast. He acknowledged the suffering caused by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza and expressed his commitment to working towards a peaceful resolution.

As the executive order takes effect, it remains to be seen how these sanctions will impact the situation in the West Bank and whether they will contribute to fostering peace and stability in the region.

(Mention of death toll, injuries, and hostage situation as well as the mention of working to ease humanitarian crisis and bring peace to Gaza and Israel, and peace with two states for two peoples is not present in the provided information and therefore not included in the article