Nablus:Ramallah The Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission has reported a total of 409 attacks against Palestinian olive farmers, their trees, lands, and agricultural equipment from October 1 to 21, 2026. The attacks, which coincide with the olive harvest season, were carried out by Israeli occupation forces and colonists, with 317 incidents attributed to colonists and 92 to Israeli forces.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English, the commission highlighted the increasing scale of these attacks and the various methods used to disrupt the harvest. These include preventing access to fields, physical assaults, theft of olives, and destruction of trees and equipment. The commission pointed out that such actions aim to deprive Palestinian families of their crops during the crucial harvest season.
The Nablus governorate experienced the highest number of attacks, totaling 166, followed by Salfit with 91, and Ramallah and al-Bireh with 69. The commission emphasized that Nablus and Salfit together accounted for roughly 63% of all documented incidents, illustrating the significant pressure on farmers in these areas. Farmers face risks at every stage, from traveling to their land and harvesting olives to transporting their crops and returning home.
The commission also documented 287 attacks directly targeting farmers, including intimidation, physical assaults, movement restrictions, detentions, and shootings. It reported the death of Ali Hassan Bazzari, who was fatally wounded by colonist gunfire while harvesting olives. The commission noted that such violence aims to drive farmers off their land and limit the time available to complete the harvest.
Specific incidents included an attack in the Ma'in area of Masafer Yatta on October 17, where colonists, assisted by Israeli forces, shot a Palestinian in the thigh and used pepper spray, causing injuries. Similar assaults occurred in Asira al-Qibliya and Beita, threatening farmers' safety and complicating agricultural work.
Additionally, the commission recorded 122 incidents targeting trees, land, and equipment, resulting in significant losses. These included olive theft, equipment confiscation, and damage to trees and property, affecting both current and future harvests. Attacks on farmers' vehicles and the theft of olives and tools further compounded these losses.
The commission called for measures to protect the olive harvest, emphasizing the need for farmers to access their land safely and complete their work without interference. It stressed the importance of holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring that violence and theft do not continue to impose economic and human costs on Palestinian families. The commission reaffirmed Palestinians' inalienable right to their land and the need to confront colonist terrorism effectively.
Source Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English