Violence Flares During Olive Harvest Season in West Bank
Translated & summarized from Haaretz by baba
Violence erupted in the West Bank during the olive harvest season, with a shooting reported in Qaryut and settlers attempting to set fire to vehicles near Hebron. Security forces evacuated outposts and arrested ten settlers suspected of weekend attacks. Two homes in Turmus Ayya were attacked, leaving one Palestinian injured and vehicles ablaze. Settlers also harassed harvesters near Dier Abu Meshal, where soldiers' actions were questioned.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A shooting occurred in Qaryut village during the olive harvest, with settlers reportedly involved.
- Settlers allegedly attempted to torch vehicles and vandalized property near Hebron.
- Security forces evacuated West Bank outposts and arrested ten settlers suspected of attacks.
- Two homes in Turmus Ayya were attacked, resulting in one Palestinian injury and vehicle fires.
- Settlers harassed olive harvesters near Dier Abu Meshal, with soldiers' conduct under scrutiny.
Violence against Palestinian olive harvesters and their escorts continued Monday, with reports of a shooting in the village of Qaryut in the West Bank. According to Palestinian sources, a person was shot after settlers entered a horse farm near the village. Israeli military forces arrived at the scene and used tear gas, with live fire also reported later. In another incident, settlers reportedly attempted to set fire to vehicles in the village of Khirbet Safa, north of Hebron, overnight. Graffiti attributed to settlers was also documented in the same area. Earlier in the week, security forces evacuated unauthorized outposts near Abu Falah and the village of Taybeh, arresting ten settlers suspected of participating in attacks in the West Bank over the weekend. The evacuation and arrests are unusual, as such outposts typically re-establish themselves quickly without arrests of their inhabitants. On Monday morning, two homes in the village of Turmus Ayya, near one of the outpost evacuation sites, were attacked. Witnesses reported that residents harvesting olives were assaulted by settlers, resulting in one Palestinian sustaining a head injury and being evacuated for treatment. Footage from the scene showed torched vehicles, efforts to extinguish a burning home, and masked individuals fleeing. Soldiers present demanded residents and journalists leave the attacked homes, threatening tear gas use. Earlier, in Area B near the village of Dier Abu Meshal, settlers harassed Palestinian olive harvesters accompanied by activists. A settler subject to international sanctions for violence against Palestinians was filmed armed with a military weapon and conversing with soldiers. Witnesses stated that soldiers asked harvesters and journalists to leave without presenting an order, which was shown later. Soldiers detained several Palestinians and activists, who were filmed sitting near a military vehicle while settlers moved freely nearby. Army regulations for the olive harvest season stipulate that soldiers are to secure and enable the harvest activities and remove those attempting to prevent them.
