Colonists force farmers to leave olive groves in Sebastia, north of Nablus

NABLUS: Today, Israeli colonists forced farmers and olive harvesters to leave their lands in the town of Sebastia, located northwest of Nablus in the occupied West Bank. Mohammad Azem, the mayor of Sebastia, reported that colonists chased after farmers and olive pickers in the plains of the town, compelling them to vacate the area. He noted that attacks by colonists have increased as the olive harvest season approaches. In a related incident, colonists assaulted shepherds in the town of Hizma, northeast of occupied Jerusalem, later this evening. Local sources reported that colonists violently attacked the shepherds in the eastern area of the town and fired live ammunition at them to force them to leave the region. The olive harvest season is one of the most important seasons for thousands of Palestinian families, many of whom make their living from this harvest. Source: Palestine news & Information Agency - WAFA