Israeli Settlers, Army Escalate Attacks on Palestinian Olive Harvesters Across West Bank

Palestinian farmers across the occupied West Bank have faced a surge in violent attacks by Israeli settlers and military forces amid the 2025 olive harvest season, a critical period for Palestinian livelihoods. Over 150 settler and military assaults have been reported, including beatings, use of pepper spray, and destruction of property, with at least ten Palestinians injured in recent incidents in villages such as Deir Nidham, Aqraba, and Kafr Malik. Israeli forces have often been accused of complicity, providing protection to settlers during attacks and restricting Palestinian access to their farmlands by declaring areas as closed military zones. These attacks coincide with a broader escalation of violence linked to the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza, which has resulted in over 1,000 Palestinian deaths and thousands more injured since October 2023. The olive harvest, vital for many Palestinian families, is severely impacted, with production this year estimated at only 15% of typical levels due to both violence and access restrictions. Human rights organizations and local activists highlight that these attacks, often supported by Israeli soldiers, are aimed at displacing Palestinians and making their continued residence in the West Bank untenable under the current right-wing Israeli government.