Settler Violence Escalates in West Bank, Targeting Farmers and Students

Settlers intensified attacks against Palestinians and their property across the West Bank and East Jerusalem on Tuesday, targeting farmers during the olive harvest, vehicles, and agricultural property, while also obstructing students' access to schools. In Beitunia, northwest of Jerusalem, several Palestinians suffered from gas and sound grenade inhalation after Israeli forces fired them as residents attempted to reach their agricultural lands in the Al-Salqat and Al-Bureij areas. Local sources reported that dozens of Palestinians were prevented from harvesting olives after settlers attacked them, with Israeli forces providing protection. In the Nablus governorate, settlers set fire to two vehicles belonging to Wadia and Ala Zein al-Din in the northern area of Majdal Bani Fadil village, south of the city, after they had parked in front of residents' homes. In Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces, blocked the road to students from Khirbet al-Asfi and detained them as they were heading to Al-Majaz and Al-Fakhit schools, hindering their education. Settlers also attacked agricultural greenhouses near the villages of Bardala and Kardala in the northern Jordan Valley overnight, according to human rights activist Aref Daraghmeh. These incidents are part of ongoing attacks aimed at farmers' property and livelihoods, increasing their hardship and efforts to remain on their land. The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission reported that Israeli forces and settlers carried out 3,313 attacks against citizens, their lands, and property in October alone. The commission stated that this escalation reflects a widening scope of attacks and the integration of military and settlement tools to target Palestinian presence and their resilience.