Rights groups claim that numerous Palestinians in the West Bank are facing attacks without consequences

The United States is reportedly planning to hold members of an Israeli military battalion accountable for their actions in the occupied West Bank, a move that has been seen as progress by human rights groups. The battalion in question, Netzah Yehuda, is composed of ultra-orthodox and religious nationalist members and has been accused of committing human rights abuses.

Israel’s government has rejected the suggestion that the military unit should be singled out for sanctions, with Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stating that imposing sanctions on the battalion while they are fighting in Gaza casts a shadow on other IDF units. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also criticized the potential U.S. measure, calling it absurd and a moral low.

The abuses attributed to Netzah Yehuda over the years have been described as some of the worst, including a disturbing incident in 2022 where a 78-year-old American Palestinian man was dragged from his car at a checkpoint, bound, gagged, blindfolded, and beaten to death.

The move by the United States comes at a time when violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has escalated, with numerous attacks on homes, businesses, and property. Palestinian officials report that more than 486 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since October 7, many in military raids and attacks by settlers.

The situation in the occupied West Bank has drawn international attention, with calls for accountability and justice for the victims of violence. The United Nations has documented numerous attacks by settlers on Palestinians, leading to forced displacements and destruction of property. The escalating violence has raised concerns about the impunity enjoyed by settlers and the need for a lasting solution to the conflict.