GHLands : Several areas across the occupied West Bank witnessed a series of attacks by Israeli settlers on Saturday, targeting Palestinian residents and farmers. The incidents included assaults on olive harvesters in the Nablus and Bethlehem governorates, the theft of agricultural equipment, damage to vehicles, and an attack that left two Palestinians injured north of Ramallah.
The incidents come amid continued attacks on Palestinian farmers, their land, and their property, particularly during the olive harvest season, which provides an essential source of income for many Palestinian families.
Nablus: Olive Harvesters Assaulted and Equipment Stolen in Beit Dajan
In the Nablus governorate, a group of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers harvesting olives in the Khallat Abu Hawwan area of Beit Dajan, east of Nablus.
According to local sources, the settlers assaulted the harvesters and forced them to leave their land after stealing agricultural equipment and harvesting sheets used to collect olives.
Attacks on Palestinian agriculture extend beyond assaults on farmers during the harvest season. They also include the uprooting of mature trees, the bulldozing of agricultural land, and the destruction of irrigation systems and agricultural infrastructure, threatening the sustainability of farming activities and the livelihoods of local communities.
Bethlehem: Vehicles Damaged as Attacks Continue in Beit Fajjar
In the Bethlehem governorate, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in the Wadi Saif area of Beit Fajjar, south of Bethlehem, and damaged several vehicles.
Local sources reported that a group of settlers assaulted farmers while they were working on their land, causing damage to vehicles in the area.
Wadi Saif has experienced repeated attacks in recent weeks. On November 3, Israeli forces and settlers prevented Palestinians participating in the national olive harvest campaign from accessing their land and collecting their crops. Settlers also seized harvesting equipment during the incident.
A similar attack took place on November 1, when settlers assaulted residents of Beit Fajjar while they were harvesting olives in the same area.
Ramallah: Two Palestinians Injured Near Ein Siniya Checkpoint
In a separate incident north of Ramallah, two Palestinians sustained injuries after being physically assaulted by Israeli settlers near the Ein Siniya military checkpoint.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that its emergency teams in Ramallah responded to two injuries resulting from the assault and worked to transfer the victims to hospital for medical treatment.
Continued Attacks Threaten Agricultural Land and Palestinian Livelihoods
The incidents in the Nablus and Bethlehem governorates highlight the risks faced by Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest season, including physical assaults, restrictions on access to agricultural land, the theft of harvesting equipment, and damage to private property.
The olive harvest holds considerable economic, social, and environmental significance in Palestine. It provides income for numerous families, while centuries-old olive trees form an integral part of the country's agricultural heritage, natural landscape, and cultural identity.
According to figures released by the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, 62,916 attacks were carried out by Israeli forces and settlers against Palestinians, their land, and their property across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, between October 7, 2023, and the beginning of October 2026.
The commission reported that 48,174 attacks were carried out by Israeli forces, while 14,742 were attributed to Israeli settlers.
Together, these incidents underscore the ongoing challenges facing Palestinian agricultural communities, including damage to property, threats to personal safety, and restrictions on farmers' ability to access their land and maintain their livelihoods.
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