Settler Violence Escalates During Olive Harvest Season in the West Bank
Israeli settlers have intensified their attacks on Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest season, particularly in the Nablus Governorate. On Friday, a group of over 200 settlers assaulted Palestinian farmers in the village of Yatma, attacking them from multiple directions while the Israeli army reportedly stood by, firing tear gas at the farmers instead of intervening. Local officials, including Ahmed Sanobar, the mayor of Yatma, condemned the violence and noted that clashes ensued between villagers and settlers, resulting in multiple injuries due to tear gas exposure.
In a separate incident in Hebron, a foreign activist who was assisting Palestinian farmers was injured during an altercation with the Israeli army. The activist, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly beaten with sticks while volunteering in the village of Susya. After refusing treatment from an Israeli ambulance, she was taken to a local hospital by the Palestinian Red Crescent for further care.
UN Raises Concerns Over Increasing Violence
The recent wave of settler violence has drawn attention from international bodies, including the United Nations. Farhan Haq, the Deputy Spokesperson for the UN, highlighted that there have been 32 documented attacks by Israeli settlers since the beginning of October, resulting in injuries to 39 Palestinians and significant damage to agricultural resources, with nearly 600 olive trees and seedlings either vandalized or destroyed. The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has expressed alarm over the lethal methods being employed by Israeli forces in the West Bank, indicating a broader pattern of violence that threatens the security and livelihood of Palestinian communities.
Since the onset of the conflict in Gaza on October 7, 2023, there have been nearly 2,777 recorded attacks by settlers in the West Bank, leading to the deaths of 19 Palestinians and the displacement of numerous Bedouin communities. The olive harvest season, which typically brings economic relief to many Palestinian families, has become increasingly perilous due to the ongoing violence.
