Settlers attack Palestinian olive harvest in West Bank, injuring a journalist
About 80 masked settlers burned olive trees and threw rocks in Abu Falah, witnesses told Reuters. Israeli soldiers fired tear gas towards Palestinians at the scene.
At a glance
- Around 80 masked Israeli settlers burned olive trees and threw rocks at Palestinians during the harvest in Abu Falah on Friday, witnesses told Reuters.
- At least two people were injured, including a photojournalist working for The Washington Post.
- A Reuters photographer saw at least one armed settler fire a gun; Israeli soldiers fired tear gas towards Palestinians.
- The October olive harvest is a key source of income for Palestinian families and frequently sees confrontations.
Masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians picking olives in the occupied West Bank on Friday, October 16, injuring several people, according to witnesses and news agencies.
What happened in Abu Falah
About 80 settlers wearing face masks burned olive trees and threw rocks at villagers during Abu Falah's annual harvest, witnesses told Reuters. At least two people were injured, including a photojournalist working for The Washington Post, NPR reported. A Reuters photographer saw at least one armed settler fire a gun.
Israeli soldiers arrived at the scene and fired tear gas in the direction of the Palestinians, according to witnesses.
A recurring flashpoint
The Associated Press reported attacks on Palestinians in towns across the West Bank during this year's harvest. The olive season, which runs through October and November, is a vital source of income for thousands of Palestinian families and has long been a flashpoint, as many groves lie close to Israeli settlements and access is frequently restricted or contested.
Rights groups have repeatedly documented violence during the harvest and called for stronger protection for farmers. The Israeli military has not yet commented publicly on Friday's incident in Abu Falah.
Wider context
The attacks come as the broader Middle East conflict continues to shake the region, from shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia. Humanitarian organisations warn that violence in the West Bank adds pressure on communities already facing economic hardship.
Questions people are asking
Why is the olive harvest significant in the West Bank?
Olives are central to the Palestinian rural economy and culture. Many families depend on the autumn harvest for income, and access to groves near settlements is often contested.
Who was injured in the Abu Falah attack?
Witnesses said at least two people were hurt, including a photojournalist working for The Washington Post.
How we verified this story
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