Israeli Colonist Militias Ignite Fire in Ramin Plain Near Tulkarm.

TULKARM: Israeli colonist militias ignited a fire today in the Ramin Plain area, east of Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank, according to local sources. The sources reported that a large group of colonists set fire to lands planted with olive trees, causing the flames to spread rapidly. Due to the wind direction, the fire reversed toward the colonists’ makeshift tents established unlawfully on the land, prompting a frantic reaction from the colonists.

According to Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA, the colonists aggressively pursued local Palestinian olive harvesters, threatening them with weapons and forcing them to leave their lands, preventing them from completing their work. Additionally, the colonists chased after farmers’ vehicles, attacking and damaging several of them. They stole tools and equipment that farmers had to abandon under the olive trees, as well as olive harvests belonging to Younis Dhafer, a local farmer.

Palestinian farmers have been facing daily assaults by Israeli occupatio
n forces and colonists coinciding with the olive harvest season, resulting in significant financial losses and exacerbating their daily hardships under occupation. Current estimates indicate that farmers may be unable to access around 80,000 dunums of olive-grove land due to threats from colonists and military presence, which could lead to a loss of approximately 15% of this year’s olive harvest.

The olive harvest is a crucial period for many families in the area, and such actions have a dire impact on local livelihoods and food security.