Israeli Settlers Attack Palestinian Olive Farmers, Steal Harvest in Nablus

Nablus, MINA – Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinian farmers and stole their olive harvest in the village of al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, on Saturday, according to local sources.

The sources said the attacks had continued for the third consecutive day, with a group of settlers targeting Palestinian farmers harvesting olives in the Wadi Abwein area, west of the village, as well as in areas to the east.

The settlers stole harvested olives and farming tools and forced the farmers to leave their agricultural lands, the sources added.

The incident comes amid reports of increasing settler attacks against Palestinian olive farmers across the occupied West Bank during the annual harvest season.

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According to the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, Israeli settlers carried out 647 attacks across the West Bank in September, killing three Palestinians and damaging thousands of trees, including olive trees.

The olive harvest, which typically runs from early October through late November, is one of the most important agricultural seasons for Palestinian communities. Olives and olive oil provide a vital source of income for thousands of Palestinian families and form an important part of Palestinian cultural heritage.

Attacks on farmers during the harvest season can prevent families from accessing their land, collecting their crops, and sustaining their livelihoods.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented incidents of settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Concerns have also been raised about accountability and the protection of Palestinian communities from further attacks.

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The latest incident in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya highlights the risks faced by Palestinian farmers as they attempt to harvest their crops and maintain access to their agricultural lands.

Palestinian officials and human rights groups have called for international action to protect farmers and hold those responsible for settler violence accountable. Meanwhile, attacks across the West Bank continue to threaten agricultural livelihoods and deepen insecurity for Palestinian communities.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)

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