Settler Violence Surges in West Bank, Targeting Olive Harvest
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Settler violence in the West Bank escalated on Sunday, with attacks targeting olive trees, sheep, and electrical infrastructure during the olive harvest season. Incidents included the uprooting of 120 olive trees near Bethlehem and the theft of sheep and cables near Hebron and Nablus. These attacks occurred amid broader international condemnation of settler violence, with official figures reporting thousands of attacks and significant agricultural damage in recent months.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Settlers uprooted 120 olive trees and stole sheep and electrical cables in the West Bank on Sunday.
- Attacks coincided with the olive harvest season and followed a settler assault on a European delegation.
- Settlers also blocked farmers from accessing land and stole sheep near Hebron.
- Near Nablus, settlers stole two kilometers of electrical cables, causing a power outage.
- Settlers performed Talmudic rituals in Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under Israeli forces' protection.
- Thousands of settler attacks were reported in September, damaging over 14,600 trees.
Settler attacks against Palestinians and their property in the occupied West Bank escalated on Sunday, coinciding with the olive harvest season. Incidents included the theft of sheep and electrical cables, and the uprooting of 120 olive trees in the village of Kisan, southeast of Bethlehem. Farmers were also prevented from accessing their land.
These attacks follow a settler assault the previous day on a European diplomatic delegation, a French mayor, and citizens during a solidarity tour with farmers in Taybeh, northeast of Ramallah. That earlier attack drew international condemnation.
In the Hebron governorate, settlers blocked farmers from reaching their olive groves in the area of Nabi Saleh, near the town of Idna. They also attacked the Ma'in area in southern Hebron, stealing sheep. Reports indicated Israeli occupation forces fired live ammunition extensively during these incidents.
Near Nablus, settlers cut down electricity poles and stole approximately two kilometers of cables in the village of Majdal Bani Fadil, south of the city. This action caused a power outage and damaged infrastructure, according to village council head Rami Nassar.
In Kisan, the 120 olive trees were cut down on land belonging to Ali Moussa Abu Diya. The village has experienced repeated attacks, including tree vandalism, sheep being driven into farmlands, and shepherds being assaulted, threatening livelihoods and access to land.
In occupied Jerusalem, settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, conducted provocative tours, and performed Talmudic rituals under the protection of Israeli forces, who heightened security measures in and around the mosque.
The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission reported 40 incidents of attacks and violations by occupation forces and settlers against farmers, lands, crops, and supporters of the olive season on Saturday, October 17, 2026, between 6 AM and 6 PM. The commission stated that occupation forces and settlers carried out 2,051 attacks in September against Palestinians and their property in the West Bank and Jerusalem, including 647 by settlers. These resulted in the deaths of three Palestinians, direct harm to 88, and the destruction or uprooting of 14,600 trees, 9,334 of which were olive trees. Since the beginning of 2026 until the end of September, settler attacks totaled 5,561.
The Ministry of Agriculture reported that 98,293 olive trees in the West Bank were damaged by the end of September 2026. Direct losses for the olive crop exceeded $66.5 million, with cumulative losses since 2023 reaching approximately $316.9 million.
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