Why it matters:
The olive harvest is a vital source of livelihood for thousands of Palestinian families. Humanitarian groups say Israeli settlers, under the protection of occupation forces, are waging systematic attacks to drive Palestinians off their land and seize more territory for illegal settlements.
The big picture:
OCHA documented 126 settler attacks in 70 Palestinian towns and villages since the harvest began in mid-October.
More than 4,000 olive trees and saplings were vandalized, while 60 incidents involved direct assaults on civilians.
At least 17 Palestinians were injured and 19 vehicles damaged in the past week alone.
Illegal settlers from newly built outposts have blocked farmers’ access to their groves, forcing many families to abandon their harvest.
What they’re saying:
OCHA noted that most attacks occur “in areas adjacent to settlements and outposts,” often with the “complicity or presence” of Israeli soldiers.
The Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said it has documented 259 combined attacks by Israeli soldiers and settlers since the harvest began.
Palestinian officials say Israel has been using settler militias to expand its occupation under the cover of violence.
Go deeper:
The UN and humanitarian agencies have repeatedly urged Israel, as the occupying power, to protect Palestinians and end settler violence.
Israel’s settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank is illegal under international law but continues to accelerate under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government.
Mojtaba Darabi - seyed mohammad kazemi
