Hundreds of Attacks on Palestinian Olive Harvesters in Three Weeks

Between October 1 and 21, 2026, Palestinian olive farmers and their crops faced 409 attacks, according to the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission. The commission reported that 317 of these incidents were attributed to settlers and 92 to the Israeli army. The Nablus governorate recorded the highest number of attacks with 166, followed by Salfit with 91, and Ramallah and Al-Bireh with 69. Together, Nablus and Salfit accounted for approximately 63% of the total incidents.

The attacks primarily targeted farmers directly, with 287 incidents reported. These included 149 instances of intimidation, 50 assaults, 29 cases of access denial to farmlands, 18 arrests during harvest, 15 detentions in fields, 14 instances of pepper spray or grenade use, and 11 shootings. Ali Hassan Bizari died on October 7 from gunshot wounds sustained while harvesting olives, as reported by the commission.

On-the-ground reports from October 17 detail a farmer injured by live ammunition in the Yatta area, with two others suffering from pepper spray-induced burns and fainting. The previous day, three farmers were injured in Asira al-Qibliya and others in Beit 'Ur al-Tahta. In Qabalan, attackers overturned a farmer's vehicle and stole harvested olives. In Rantis, farmers were detained for over two hours, and two bags of olives and harvesting tools were confiscated.

Attacks on property and land numbered 122, including 57 thefts of olives, 23 confiscations or thefts of agricultural equipment, 12 instances of tree damage, 11 cases of cutting or uprooting trees, 7 land fires, 5 vandalism incidents, 4 property arson attacks, and 3 land leveling incidents. The commission called for ensuring farmers' safe access to their lands for harvest and transport, and for an end to the attacks with accountability for those responsible.