Attacks on West Bank Olive Trees Escalate as Hundreds of Thousands Are Damaged

GHLands : Palestinian agricultural lands have witnessed a marked increase in the uprooting, bulldozing and destruction of olive trees in recent years, amid attacks carried out by Israeli forces and settlers. The damage has inflicted major losses on farmers and threatens one of the most important agricultural sectors and sources of income for Palestinian families.

The impact becomes even more serious as the olive harvest season approaches, particularly because mature olive trees take many years to replace and return to full production, while farmers continue to face growing restrictions on access to their land.

Olive Cultivation Remains a Key Agricultural Sector

Attacks on olive trees have been recorded across several West Bank governorates, including Ramallah, Nablus and Jenin. They have included cutting down and uprooting trees, bulldozing agricultural land and preventing farmers from reaching their fields.

Olive cultivation is considered one of the most important agricultural sectors in Palestine and accounts for the largest share of fruit-bearing trees. Thousands of farmers and families depend on it as a primary source of income.

According to Tariq Abu Laban, Assistant Undersecretary at the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, around 130,000 dunams of olive-planted land are located behind the Israeli separation barrier or near settlement areas.

He said the area affected by restrictions and attacks has increased during the current year and ahead of the olive harvest season, which begins in early October, reaching approximately 220,000 to 230,000 dunams.

The total area planted with olive trees in Palestine is estimated at around 900,000 dunams, of which between 730,000 and 750,000 dunams contain productive trees, while the remaining areas have not yet reached full production.

Losses Have Continued to Rise Since 2023

Data from the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture show a steady rise in damage to olive trees between 2023 and the end of September 2026.

The damage includes cutting, uprooting, breaking and burning trees, burying them, using toxic waste, stealing harvests and preventing farmers from accessing their land.

In 2023, the number of damaged olive trees reached 24,698, while losses to the olive crop were estimated at around $11.9 million, with total losses exceeding $23.3 million.

In 2024, the number of damaged trees rose to around 69,961, while crop losses reached approximately $23.3 million and total losses exceeded $61.8 million.

In 2025, around 91,000 trees were estimated to have been damaged. Losses to the olive crop reached approximately $55 million, while total losses rose to nearly $103 million.

By the end of September 2026, around 98,293 olive trees had been damaged. Losses to the olive crop exceeded $66.5 million, while total losses reached approximately $128.7 million.

More Than 283,000 Olive Trees Damaged in Four Years

According to official figures, the total number of olive trees damaged between 2023 and 2026 reached approximately 283,952 trees.

Losses to the olive crop during the same period exceeded $156.8 million, while total losses rose to more than $316.9 million.

The Ministry of Agriculture says the attacks have affected governorates across the West Bank and have included the cutting, breaking and uprooting of olive trees, amid concerns that such incidents could intensify during the harvest season.

Palestinian Villages and Towns Face Continued Attacks

In recent weeks, several areas have witnessed extensive bulldozing of olive groves, including Burqa in Nablus Governorate, Arraba south of Jenin, and Al-Mughayyir and Beit Rima in Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate.

These operations have caused major damage to agricultural land, while landowners face increasing difficulties in reaching their fields or protecting their trees.

Gaza Has Lost Most of Its Olive Trees

In the Gaza Strip, estimates by the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture indicate that vast areas of olive trees have been destroyed during the war.

Abu Laban said Gaza had lost “nearly 100%” of its olive trees, with the exception of some areas that were not directly affected, according to ministry estimates.

More Than 2,000 Attacks Recorded in One Month

In a related development, the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission reported that Israeli forces and settlers carried out 2,030 attacks against Palestinians, their land and property across the West Bank during August.

According to the commission, Israeli forces carried out 1,402 attacks, while settlers were responsible for 628 attacks.

The highest number of incidents was recorded in Nablus Governorate, with 380 attacks, followed by Ramallah and Al-Bireh with 353, and Hebron with 275.

These figures highlight the growing pressure facing the Palestinian agricultural sector, particularly olive cultivation, which is not only an important source of income but is also deeply connected to rural livelihoods and the continued presence of Palestinian communities on their land.