Settlers, Israeli Army Attack Palestinians, Destroy Olive Trees in West Bank

Settlers, accompanied by Israeli forces, attacked Palestinians and destroyed approximately 55 ancient olive trees in the area of Bir al-Dis, southeast of Jerusalem, on Saturday. The trees, over 40 years old, were on land belonging to Ibrahim Ismail Abu Hilal, who was harvesting olives with his family when the settlers attacked. The settlers, who came from a nearby outpost, attempted to assault Abu Hilal's family, forcing them to flee before the settlers set fire to the trees and the harvested olives. The area of Bir al-Dis and Al-Sawahira is frequently targeted by settlers and the Israeli military, with residents striving to maintain their presence and cultivate their land. These attacks are part of escalating efforts to assert control and displace landowners.

In August, Israeli authorities declared 370.28 dunams of land in Abu Dis and Arab al-Sawahira as "state property" to facilitate the establishment of the "Mishmar Yehuda" settlement. The olive tree burning occurred amidst a surge in settler violence against farmers and their land in the Jerusalem Governorate during the olive harvest season. Similar incidents in the Wadi al-Rababa area of Silwan aimed to prevent residents from accessing their land and harvesting olives, with tools and crops being confiscated.

Further incidents across the West Bank included settlers attacking two citizens with pepper spray near Nablus, requiring hospitalization. Israeli soldiers also assaulted three Palestinians after their arrest in the village of Asira al-Qibliya, south of Nablus. Settlers, protected by Israeli forces, entered the outskirts of Al-Mughayyir village, northeast of Ramallah, grazing their sheep on private land. Israeli forces also raided a home in the area to provide security for the settlers. In Ras al-Ahmar, Israeli forces arrested three farmers and confiscated a truck laden with bananas, while also conducting searches and photographing homes. The Ras al-Ahmar area has been under Israeli military siege for over two weeks, with a trench dug and access points blocked, hindering residents' movement and access to their property. The area has also seen extensive land leveling by Israeli forces since the beginning of the year to construct a military road, including the destruction of wells and irrigation systems.

In Salfit, a Palestinian farmer was severely beaten by settlers while harvesting olives in the village of Rafat, west of Salfit. The settlers also stole the harvested olives. In Hebron, settlers, accompanied by Israeli soldiers, threw stones at Palestinian homes in Wadi al-Husayn and Haret Jaber, east of the city, uttering threats and insults, causing fear among residents. The Israeli military also fired shots towards homes in the area. In Uzerin, south of Nablus, a 27-year-old man was injured and bruised after settlers attacked the village, marking the second such attack on Uzerin that day.