Israeli Forces and Settlers Attack Olive Harvesters in West Bank

On Friday, the occupied West Bank witnessed 20 attacks by the Israeli army and settlers against olive harvesters across six governorates. These incidents included the detention of farmers, solidarity activists, and journalists, as well as the theft of crops and the bulldozing of trees. The Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission stated that the attacks aim to isolate farmers from supporters and journalists, warning that preventing access to their land threatens their displacement amid escalating settler violence and the imposition of a new settlement reality.

In the Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, settlers and Israeli soldiers attacked olive harvesters in the village of Kafr Ni'ma, west of Ramallah. According to the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, 17 individuals were detained, including 12 foreign activists, two international journalists, and three Palestinians. The "Faza'a" campaign reported that they were transferred to a nearby military base. In Abu Falah village, east of Ramallah, settlers forced dozens of activists and journalists to leave the area. Palestinian farmers in Deir 'Ammar, 'Aboud, Sinjil, al-Mughayyir, and Burqa also faced attacks that prevented them from harvesting their crops, including theft and vandalism of property.

In the Hebron Governorate, the Israeli army detained a Palestinian in the Yatta area after settlers attacked agricultural fields with their livestock. In Beit 'Awwa, olive trees were bulldozed. Israeli forces also arrested journalist Mosab Shawar and Palestinian Iyad Sweiti after assaulting them, according to the Commission. In Nablus Governorate, settlers stole olive crops from Palestinian lands in the al-Mas'oudiya area, northwest of the city. They also beat two young Palestinians near Mount Ebal.

In Beit Furik and Sahil Surra, settlers expelled Palestinian farmers from their lands as part of efforts to establish settlement outposts. Attacks in Bethlehem, Salfit, and Qalqilya governorates included the bulldozing of Palestinian lands and the erection of a settlement tent. Settlers also expelled farmers from their lands, preventing them from reaching their fields to harvest olives.

The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission viewed Friday's attacks as a shift in targeting the olive season, noting the involvement of local and international activists and journalists to isolate Palestinian farmers. The Commission warned that preventing farmers from accessing their fields coincides with imposing a new settlement reality that threatens their long-term displacement.

Since the start of the olive harvest season in early October, settlers have intensified attacks on Palestinian farmers, resulting in casualties and damage to property and crops. Since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, the Israeli army and settlers have escalated attacks on Palestinians and their property in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Palestinian data indicates that this escalation has led to the death of over 1,220 Palestinians, the injury of approximately 13,750, and the arrest of over 26,000.