Settlers Attack Palestinian Farmers Near Nablus, Violence Spikes

Dozens of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian olive harvesters and pushed a tractor down a slope on Sunday in the Palestinian village of Immatin, south of Nablus, according to Palestinian reports. Video footage showed masked individuals descending a hill towards the orchards and then pushing a tractor laden with equipment down a slope. The past 24 hours have seen other violent incidents in the West Bank, including settlers allegedly stealing sheep from a Palestinian herd in the southern Hebron Hills and stoning Palestinian vehicles in the village of Sinjil. In another incident near Hebron, an armed Israeli civilian accompanied by a soldier was filmed blocking a road and demanding identification and cell phones from Palestinians, shouting "What are you doing here?".

Following a Friday attack, reports indicate the expedited establishment of new farms and settlements in an area where the settlement of Nahal Doron was recently founded. Settlers and soldiers also clashed Saturday night in a Palestinian structure in Jalud that settlers had occupied and turned into an outpost. Settlers claim soldiers set fire to the structure, which contained religious books. The IDF stated its forces arrived to evacuate settlers from the structure in an area declared a closed military zone, noting that Israeli civilian equipment should not be present there. The army emphasized the presence of violent "rioters" and said the fire's circumstances would be investigated. Hours later, footage of new equipment, allegedly donated by the "Hilltop Youth" organization, was circulated among settlers for the illegal outpost. A convoy of Israeli vehicles was later seen ascending from Jalud towards the hilltop in Qusra, within the closed military zone.

The illegal outpost, known as "Givat Nachalat HaNavi," was established in April on the property of the Toubasi family in Jalud, Area B. After two months of harassment and a siege, the family fled their home on July 22. In late September, when soldiers and police attempted to return the family to their home under a High Court order, they were attacked by over 100 settlers who threw stones and vandalized security vehicles. After the family and forces retreated, the settlers reportedly set fire to both family homes. A hearing at the High Court regarding the matter is scheduled for Tuesday, including a claim of contempt of court.

Meanwhile, heavy traffic congestion was reported in several West Bank locations over the weekend and on Sunday due to checkpoints established after the Hebron attack, affecting routes between Palestinian and Israeli populations. On Tuesday, election day, the army will impose a general closure on the West Bank, restricting Palestinian vehicle movement between population clusters.